Gatland fears for Henson future
Gavin Henson's future hangs in the balance
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By Richard James. |  |
Wednesday, 23, Sep 2009 01:08
By Michael Younger.
Wales coach Warren Gatland believes that it would be a "tragedy" if Gavin Henson never returned to the game.
Speaking after Henson was left out of the Ospreys' Heineken Cup squad, Gatland said: "It would be a tragedy if we lost Gavin from the game.
"He's such a rare talent and we don't want to say in five or ten years' time that he was a player who never fulfilled his potential."
The 27-year-old Ospreys inside centre became a player to watch during the 2004 season after a series of excellent performances for Wales and Gatland is keen to see the versatile back return to his best in time for the 2011 World Cup.
"It is important that, if and when he comes back, he is physically right. When he is in that state, he is the best player in his position in the world. It's up to him and I hope the 2011 World Cup is his motivation," Gatland continued.
"There are a number of non-rugby issues that could cause him to quit the game. Gavin is introverted and I sympathise with the pressure he's under.
"It's difficult for him to be anonymous as every time we're in camp the headlines are about him. Some of that has been his own doing but he's big enough to admit that. I don't want to treat him as somebody special but I do feel for him."
Ospreys coach Sean Holley told the Western Mail: "All you can read into that at the moment is that Gavin is not in our environment and not training with us."