Henson Picked For Wales' 6 Nations Squad

Both Wales and Ireland released details of their 6 Nations Squads today, and both coaching parties have gone about it a different way.

In Ireland, head coach Declan Kidney has named 24 players he seems clear will be in the reckoning during the tournament, and named a further 6 in the Ireland 'A' or Wolfhounds team, allowing them an opportunity to further prove their worth for the first squad.

In Wales, Warren Gatland has named a large 35 man squad with the intention of downsizing closer to the tournament.  The overriding headline with his announcement is the inclusion of Gavin Henson in the 35.

29 year old Henson has played only 3 times for his latest club, Cardiff Blues, since returning from the wrist injury that kept him out of the World Cup and has been left out of their crucial Heineken Cup squad for this weekend as the Blues look to top the table and secure an automatic quarter final place.

The 35 man squad also includes Scott Williams, Jonathan Davies, George North, the uncapped Ashley Beck and French based player James Hook in the squad, as well as the currently injured Jamie Roberts with a view to having him included in the latter games of the tournament.  All of these players can play at centre.

Gavin Henson has been icluded in the provisional

Wales 6 Nations squad

So why pick Henson as well?

It has been well touted that George North will play at 13 as he has in the past at junior level, with the choice of Williams, Davies and Hook all playing inside him at 12.  Is his inclusion purely an insurance policy until Roberts is fit again?

It seems that this is backward step in an otherwise progressive looking selection from Gatland. As well as Beck, there are 5 other uncapped players with Rhys Webb, Liam Williams, Rhodri Jones, Lou Reed and Harry Robinson.

Gatland's biggest headache comes in the second row, where first choice picks Alun Wyn-Jones and Luke Charteris are both out through injury.

All-in-all, Gatland has stuck to his successful RWC squad that reached the semi final stage for the first time since 1987.  But with a number of injuries and notable retirements like Shane Williams, there are some excellent opportunities for some new blood to make an impact when the 6 Nations kicks of on 4th February.