Henson handed international lifeline in Wales trial game

Gavin Henson enjoyed a strong season with club side Bath. Credit: PA

Gavin Henson has been given the chance of resurrecting his international career by Wales coach Warren Gatland after he was named in the ‘Probables’ squad for this month international trial match at the Liberty Stadium.

The game will be the first of its kind in 14 years and will see a ‘Possibles’ squad face the ‘Probables’ ahead of this summer’s two-Test tour of South Africa.

Henson, 32, has not featured for Wales since dislocating his wrist in the build-up to squad selection ahead of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand but has now seemingly been given the chance to reignite his Wales aspirations.

52 players have been named across the two squads, which will be coached by Rob Howley and Robin McBryde.

Alun Wyn Jones will captain the Probables, while Matthew Rees leads the Possibles.

Two uncapped players will line up in Rob Howley’s Probables, in Dragons prop Owen Evans and Ospreys back Sam Davies alongside 19 of last season’s Six Nations squad.

McBryde’s Possibles features 10 uncapped players including Leicester Tigers fly half Owen Williams, Phil Price (Dragons), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Kristian Dacey (Blues), Macauley Cook (Blues) and James Davies (Scarlets).

22-year-old Owen Williams is one of a number of promising young players selected. Credit: PA

Probables Squad

Forwards:

  • Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Owen Evans (Dragons), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (Captain), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Bristol), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Blues), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).

Backs:

  • Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Jon Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Gavin Henson (Bath), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

Possibles Squad

Forwards:

  • Paul James (Bath), Phil Price (Dragons), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Blues), Kristian Dacey (Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Blues), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Macauley Cook (Blues), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), James Davies (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys).

Backs:

  • Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Harry Robinson (Blues), Owen Williams (Leicester), Steven Shingler (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Jordan Williams (Scarlets).