Henson makes winning start for Saracens

Gavin Henson, right, is tackled near the try line by Wasps’ Joe Simpson yesterday.

Gavin Henson is planning for 2011 to be a big year for him. The Welshman is hoping that he can earn a recall to the Wales squad for the Six Nations and also for the World Cup in New Zealand.

He sent out a strong message yesterday that, after a 21-month hiatus from the sport, he is back and means business as he helped Saracens to a 13-6 success over Wasps in the Aviva Premiership yesterday at Wembley.

The Welshman had not played since making an Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final appearance for the Ospreys back in March 2009.

In the period since he has dealt with the break-up of his relationship with the singer Charlotte Church and had also appeared on a number of British television reality shows.

But the 28-year-old is determined to force his way back into Warren Gatland's plans for next year's busy fixture list for Wales, and he signed a contract with Saracens until the end of the season to help prove he is ready to add to the 31 international caps he already has to his name.

He came on yesterday as a substitute and he was immediately involved in the action.

Henson picked off an interception just metres from the Wasps line. He drove for the try line but he was wrapped up by Joe Simpson, and could not ground the ball as the Wasps scrum-half denied him a dream comeback.

Henson made a couple of strong runs to show he is not too far from being at his best as his teammates moved their way upto second in the table with the victory.

The only try of the game came from Henson's fellow replacement Andy Saull, the flanker, early in the second half.

Yesterday's other Premiership games between Bath and Exeter and Gloucester and Northampton were both called off due to frozen pitches.

Today's action sees Leicester, the league champions, host Sale, while Harlequins play London Irish.