0
I solved all of the Tahs problems...well, the one regarding filling Lote's position anyway, not all the other ones!
With Henson they can replace one prima dona, over paid, human headline with a weird haircut, who fancies himself as a Centre, with another one!
Henson 'on brink of quitting rugby'
Graham Clutton | July 14, 2009 - 1:51PM
GAVIN HENSON'S colourful and too often controversial career is hanging in the balance this morning after crisis talks with the Ospreys.
The 27 year-old Wales and British and Irish Lions centre is understood to have told the Welsh region's managing director, Mike Cuddy, that he wanted to retire from rugby. It follows a summer during which he has again spent much of his time battling against serious injury.
Despite his summer of discontent, Henson was expected to take part in the first day of pre-season training with the Ospreys at their training camp in Swansea.
However, Ospreys' players last night confirmed that the 31-times capped international had not shown up amid strong rumours that he was poised to end a career that has, in the eyes of many, failed to live up to expectation.
Furthermore, his absence backed up weekend reports that he had told friends of his decision after falling out of love with the game.
Henson was said to be intent on meeting Cuddy, director of rugby Scott Johnson and elite performance director Andrew Hore to discuss ending his three-year contract, about 24 months early.
His no-show forced that meeting and though the region was last night staying tight-lipped, it is understood that Henson has been given a further two weeks off in which to reconsider his position.
The latest episode in a career that has included Grand Slam victories with Wales in 2005 and last year, will not have shocked too many at the Liberty Stadium. After all, it is less than three months since Henson, while recovering from an ankle injury, revealed that he had regular thoughts about hanging up his boots.
Furthermore, his partner, singer Charlotte Church, had recently given birth to their second child and given rise to Henson's belief that he should spend more time at home with his young family.
Some also believe Henson wants to switch codes and link up with the Crusaders at Bridgend. Those thoughts would have been accelerated by the outstanding performance of Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts on the Lions tour to South Africa.
Such was the impression made by Roberts against the Springboks, that there is little doubt Henson would have slipped further down the pecking order ahead of the autumn Tests against Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Samoa.
Mike Turner, chief executive of the Crusaders, said: "There are no talks to bring him to the Crusaders as a player but I know he is a big fan of the club and attends most matches. However, if he does want to enter into talks into playing rugby league for us, we'll listen with great interest."
Henson made his Wales debut against Japan in 2001, but since 2005 has experienced a catalogue of setbacks. Groin and hernia problems spoilt his Lions tour in 2005 and after serving a seven-week ban for elbowing Leicester's Alex Moreno in a Heineken Cup game in early 2006, he suffered knee and Achilles tendon injuries before breaking a hand in a boisterous episode on a train journey from London.
It remains to be seen whether early retirement will serve as the final chapter in one of Welsh rugby's most intriguing stories.
London Telegraph