"Gavin Henson deserves Wales chance," says Bath Rugby team-mate Paul James

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Team-mate Paul James believes Bath Rugby back Gavin Henson fully deserves to be back on Wales’ radar.

Henson has not played international rugby since a World Cup warm-up match in 2011 but was last week picked to feature in a Wales trial ahead of their tour to South Africa in June.

Both Henson and prop James are set to miss the game as it falls outside the IRB’s next Test window.

But James says the call-up and Henson’s form in his first season at The Rec shows he can still cut it at the highest level.

“Gavin’s leadership and the way he has performed when he’s come on has been great,” said 32-year-old James, pictured.

“He’s getting back to the Gav of old who we know can win games. He’s world class so I don’t see why he doesn’t deserve a chance.”

Whatever happens internationally, James and Henson will be back in their homeland tomorrow as Bath head to Cardiff Arms Park for the Amlin Cup final.

The city is renowned for its love for the game but James hopes the usual carnival environment is not dented by the recent ticket row, which saw both finalists receive just 1,000 tickets.

“Who knows what the atmosphere could be like in the ground because there could be a load of neutrals,” he said.

“But we can’t worry about that, it’s just got to be about the rugby for us and if we get our roles right I think we can come away with it.”

Article source: http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/14/i-converted-to-beauty-queen-rugby-player-forced-out-by-injury-hopes-to-become-miss-world-4728213/

"Gavin Henson deserves Wales chance," says Bath Rugby team-mate Paul James