May 03, 2011
Controversial Wales centre Gavin Henson has been handed a reprieve by Top 14 side Toulon, weeks after being told to leave the club.
The 29-year-old was suspended and on the way out two weeks ago after reports of a fight with a team-mate.
Henson had only made two appearances for Toulon since joining from the London-based Saracens in February.
But now Toulon Chairman Mourad Boudjellal said on Monday the club had changed their minds in regards to Henson's future.
"I consulted my staff, I consulted the group and I decided this morning to return Gavin Henson to the line-up until the end of the season, while hoping that the end of the season can be as late as possible," Boudjellal said.
"He trained this weekend. He's at the disposal of the group and could be on the team this Saturday for Montpellier."
"The group is ready to forget the evening to make a new start. We were clear that we're not giving him a second chance, we're giving him a final chance. Gavin Henson at Toulon won't be unbridled."
"He knows that at the next incident, there won't be any warning shots given before the trigger is pulled."
Boudjellal said Henson was not the only one to blame for the incident which almost saw him sacked.
A regretful Henson faced up to Boudjellal and the chairman decided his attitude was good enough to warrant another chance.
"Gavin probably did say things that he didn't mean, in any case he really seems to regret it," Boudjellal said.
"He also gave the impression of really wanting to stay at Toulon and to play for this club and to do his best for the club. Those are elements that we took into account."
"In any case the lad I had in front of me, whom I saw twice, was ready to sacrifice a lot to stay at the club. Bear in mind that this is a lad who is being sought by several English clubs, so we decided to keep him."
Toulon, sitting in fifth spot and two points off a home quarter-final play-off, face Montpellier in a must-win game on Saturday.
The 29-year-old was suspended and on the way out two weeks ago after reports of a fight with a team-mate.
Henson had only made two appearances for Toulon since joining from the London-based Saracens in February.
But now Toulon Chairman Mourad Boudjellal said on Monday the club had changed their minds in regards to Henson's future.
"I consulted my staff, I consulted the group and I decided this morning to return Gavin Henson to the line-up until the end of the season, while hoping that the end of the season can be as late as possible," Boudjellal said.
"He trained this weekend. He's at the disposal of the group and could be on the team this Saturday for Montpellier."
"The group is ready to forget the evening to make a new start. We were clear that we're not giving him a second chance, we're giving him a final chance. Gavin Henson at Toulon won't be unbridled."
"He knows that at the next incident, there won't be any warning shots given before the trigger is pulled."
Boudjellal said Henson was not the only one to blame for the incident which almost saw him sacked.
A regretful Henson faced up to Boudjellal and the chairman decided his attitude was good enough to warrant another chance.
"Gavin probably did say things that he didn't mean, in any case he really seems to regret it," Boudjellal said.
"He also gave the impression of really wanting to stay at Toulon and to play for this club and to do his best for the club. Those are elements that we took into account."
"In any case the lad I had in front of me, whom I saw twice, was ready to sacrifice a lot to stay at the club. Bear in mind that this is a lad who is being sought by several English clubs, so we decided to keep him."
Toulon, sitting in fifth spot and two points off a home quarter-final play-off, face Montpellier in a must-win game on Saturday.
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