Ospreys not giving up on Henson
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:34
Ospreys coach Scott Johnson has not given up on on Gavin Henson making a return to rugby at the region, despite the controversial star's no-show at pre-season training.
The high-profile Welsh centre Gavin Henson was a conspicuous absentee from the start of the Ospreys' pre-season training, after it was expected that he would make a return from his self-imposed sabbatical this season.
The controversial midfielder had reportedly set his sights on a return to rugby at the beginning of this season, with both the Ospreys and Wales eager for the talented back to come back into their ranks.
The British and Irish Lion has been on indefinite leave from the game since an ankle injury put him on the sidelines in March last year, and pre-season training with the Ospreys seemed like the natural point for the 28 year-old to make his return.
Despite making clear his intentions to end his 15 month exile, the Ospreys declined to comment
on the subject, and it is understood the coaching staff were not expecting to see Henson having not heard from him.
Johnson though, has not given up on hiom just yet.
"I think that he made a decision last year and we left it on good terms in the fact that when he was prepared to, if he wanted to play footy, he could come back knocking on our door and that hasn't happened yet," the Australian told BBC Sport Wales.
"So it's not disappointing. He's got other issues in his life and we've discussed that at the time and I take that as life hasn't changed.
"Life moves on, you know, and you've got to and I've got another quite a number of players I've got to look after and if Gavin wants to come back and talk about rugby, well our door's open. At that stage and at this stage it hasn't occurred so I've got responsibilities to others.
"From our perspective, like I said, the last meeting I had with Gav everything was laid on the
table and he needed to do things in his life. We appreciate that and part of that is privacy and I'm not one of those people that need to go back.
"If Gavin wants to come back and talk to us, the door's open and he's been an Osprey since the inception. We honour that so we don't need to sit on someone's back an annoy them. The lad made a decision for personal reasons and we'll respect that.
"And until a conversation that comes differently, we don't give him another thought because we can't - it would show disrespect for the current group that are here. But at no time have we shown disrespect to Gavin. So the door's open, but we haven't heard anything.
"I had a conversation with Gavin. I will honour my part of it and I'll let the lad honour his and I'll respect his privacy and his wishes. I coach the kid. When he's willing to come and talk about rugby my door's open so at the end of the day we get on with our work and that's what we've got to do."
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