Lyn Jones backs Henson but rules out signing

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Might pull in the punters though

The whole event is a storm in a teacup whipped up by the Welsh media, which the incompetent Blues management tried to use to distract from their own failings. This has resoundly backlashed as most have seen through them and their motives. Fired for throwing a couple of ice cubes? FFS!

My reading of this? *Warning: conspiracy theories to follow*

- Blues had pressure put on them by the WRU to take him on. He's either been on a cheap or pay-as-you-play contract, depending on who you listen to.
- The Blues got their money out of him for publicity, or for doing the kiddy classes (Sat morning coaching)
- He didn't get on with the coaching set-up from day one, because he's been parachuted in. They didn't select him and use him when they could have so he's been frustrated so may have been arsey and may not have been committing himself in training.
- The other players don't know how to take him, or they're picking up the attitude of the management and he's a temporary nuisance they have to put up with. They have their own worries atm anyway.
- He's been injured again. Then not selected. More frustration. More cockiness? More worry? Gavin Evans before him? Not given a chance to perform at 10/12 when Parks and Sweeney have hardly been setting the pitch alight?
- I heard a rumour about him refusing to take part in a jolly and management not liking that. If this is true, it shows he has at least tried to avoid another alcohol situation.
- He's not disgraced himself on the field at any time. A few errors but some good work too.
- Wing last weekend? FFS.
- Don't forget, he'd already been released for next season by the Blues.
- He suddenly goes from teetotal to an away trip. Inescapable pressure to drink and be one of the boys? And KABOOOM!


It's too late this season to take him on (or is it, does anyone know the regs?) but I'd still love to see him at ODP. Some coaches (Lyn, Gatland, Venton before he left) seem to appreciate him and therefore get the most out of him, others can't seem work him into their plans.

As for him being a disruptive influence, Warburton's quotes disprove that and he's even had support from some very unexpected quarters.

I suppose Lyn has clearly stated his case; he'll take him but he can't afford him. So this puts the ball firmly in Henson's park.

(We may not be first in line anyway, I've heard a rumour about Wasps taking him in.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:03:12:15:43 by dottigirl.

LJ hasnt ruled out signing him, just said that he would have to accept low wages. If he wants to play rugby, then he might have to accept a season on a low wage so he can convince clubs with more budget to pay his expected wage.

It does seem that the change in emphasis at Blues from rich to poor had something to do with the decision. A big earner whose not really playing is always at risk.

Since when did an unemployed player become expensive? France got rid of him, so that outlet is closed. Cardiff is out, Ospreys out, where is there for him to go? Sarries gave him a trial but didn't keep him on. Can't see how he commands a big wage now.

Quote:

serge
A big earner whose not really playing is always at risk.

Apparently Jamie Roberts has played only 252 minutes this season for Cardiff Blues.

Quote:

From elsewhere...
2011-12 = 252 minutes (5 games) [15 internationals]
2010-11 = 783 minutes (11 games) [5 internationals]
2009-10 = 1280 minutes (18 games) [12 internationals]
2008-09 = 1140 minuets (18 games) [9 internationals]
2007-08 = 1211 minutes (22 games) [3 internationals]

In the last three years, he has played 34 times for his club and 32 times for his country.

I don't know how some of the other internationals would stack up but I wouldn't be surprised if some players came out even worse.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:04:00:24:44 by dottigirl.

I think Jamie Roberts' contribution to the Blues cause amounts to 3 HEC games and the Glasgow game was his first appearance in the Pro12.

My view, for what it's worth, is that the WRU has effectively got central contracts without funding them. This I find unacceptable and the WRU has to properly compensate the Regions for players who may appear for Wales for a number many more times for Wales than for their Region.

Losing players to the WRU for 13 days prior to a fundraiser preceding a round of HEC games is evidence of the disdain with which the governing body holds for the Regions.

Hilarious:

https://twitter.com/#!/Steffan_Rhys/status/188000359120240640/photo/1/large

BLUES boss Peter Thomas has spoken for the first time about the sacking of Gavin Henson, saying he feels personally let down and labelling former Ospreys coach Lyn Jones a “big mouth” for his criticism of the decision to terminate the player’s contract.

Thomas insists the region had no choice but to sack the reality TV star over his alcohol-fuelled mid-air antics. And he said Jones, who called the sacking of Henson “inexcusable”, didn’t know the full facts.

In a stinging response to the comments of Jones, now in charge at London Welsh, Thomas said: “Is that Lyn ‘I don’t know the facts big-mouth’ Jones?”

“He doesn’t have a clue, of course. He just opens his big mouth and speaks too soon.


“He should stay where he is in London.

“I will give Lyn Jones food for thought....if he had reprimanded Gavin properly when he had that incident on a train five years ago, then maybe the guy would be a different person today.

“People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

[www.walesonline.co.uk]

Re arrange this well known saying

Pram, throw, out, toys, of

Lol

I hope Lyn tears him a new one after the imbecilic comments he makes in that article.

(For a start, the train thing is a load of@#$%&and the Fail are irresponsible to even mention that and not question it.)

Ruddock also said more or less the same as Lyn Jones. I guess he should stay where he is in Ireland?

PT is an embarrassment and has presided over a club going into freefall. He hasn't got much to be proud of.

Poor stuff from that dreadful rag the Western Mail, why don't they send some reporters out to cover what's happening rather than have a set of t*$$£*^$ sitting at desks phoning people up for inane comments?

Thomas said: “Is that Lyn ‘I don’t know the facts big-mouth’ Jones?”

"...if he had reprimanded Gavin properly when he had that incident on a train five years ago..."

Pot. Kettle.

The Welsh edition of the Sunday Mirror says that Henson will sign for London Welsh.

Someone should, if so, warn Gavin that LWRFC is a teetotal club with no pubs nearby. There may be trouble ahead ...

I would keep him on the bench then bring him on to play on the wing when we are losing....
Actually, I would play him at 12 outside Gordon....or Alex

Quote:

DanFW3
Someone should, if so, warn Gavin that LWRFC is a teetotal club with no pubs nearby. There may be trouble ahead ...

From what I've read (and it was in the papers and on the internet, so it must be true...) he appears to have a deep-rooted fear of travel which can only be overcome by sinking a few. It may well be claustrophobia, brought about by being trapped inside a train or plane from which he fears he cannot escape. So as long as we only play him in home fixtures we should be fine.

So ok for the game against London Scottish and little else, least of all Jersey! Lyn may admire him, but I'd give a miss myself. Rugby is a cruel game in some respects - players with great talents can fall like Lucifer, never to rise again.

Latest non-story with Henson still not joining LW according to ESPNScrum.com.
[www.espnscrum.com]

I'd also like to confirm that I will not signing for London Welsh this summer. I, too, have had contact with various representatives of the club, but a contract offer has not been forthcoming.

Quote:

Mark W-J
I'd also like to confirm that I will not signing for London Welsh this summer. I, too, have had contact with various representatives of the club, but a contract offer has not been forthcoming.

You've been in negotiation with someone else?!

Contract offer from DD still stands but obviously in these times of economic difficulty it can't on the same generous terms as last season.

It goes without saying that Mr Henson would help swell our gate either at ODP or the KASSAM. I'm not a fan of Mr Henson's but that doesn't alter the fact that he has or did have talent. If he comes to LONDON WELSH like all the other squad members he will have my backing and support. PADDYTAF.

He actually looked quite good, till he was injured, in the pre RWC warm up match against England. But centre's not a weakness for Wales at the mo.

I'd quite like to see him do a final couple of years with us.

Without any doubt Gavin Henson is still one of the best utility backs in World rugby. He has a very special talent that nakes him an ideal squad member for any side, whether that be Club, Region or International. The combination of Gavin Henson and James Hook on any bench is a recipe for success.

The much publicised antics of Gavin Henson over the last few years, many of which I feel are the results of warped incrimination by the games administrators, are no worse than what used to go on on a weekly basis in the former amateur game. Some of the guys running the professional game now, wearing their collars and ties, and halos around their heads, need to look in the mirror. What they will see is a picture of themselves that makes Gavin look a far more stable character.

Henson's been a bit of a tw@, its hard to deny that. Don't see the relevance of what happened in the amateur days, when players were rightly less accountable. Its a completely different set of responsibilities when you're being paid though.I'd love to see him playing for us though - like Danny Care, keep him off the sauce and you've got a brilliant, game-changing player.

Quote:

TonyLazarus
Henson's been a bit of a tw@, its hard to deny that. Don't see the relevance of what happened in the amateur days, when players were rightly less accountable. Its a completely different set of responsibilities when you're being paid though.I'd love to see him playing for us though - like Danny Care, keep him off the sauce and you've got a brilliant, game-changing player.

I'd say that Care has been more of a tw@, yet Care gets to tour for his country and Henson gets sacked.

Care's got a problem which he seems to be facing up to, so I say fair play to him - he's still pretty young. Henson seemed to be getting his act together last season until the plane incident. Needs keeping an eye on, but still a quality player with a point to prove.

TCO8 - I was there and far from impressed by his - limited - appearance on the pitch. All golden boots and no trousers, imho.

Is this the first "on record:" reference to the negotiations with the Gavnor?
[www.telegraph.co.uk]
for what it's worth (not much I know) I think it'd be a wonderful move for him and us. Could be marvellous crowd draw, great player and talking point to distract from the last month's wranglings.
Obviously the front five is the main issue but I'm distracting myself as much as I can.

I was a huge fan of Gav when he was at his peak (roughly 2005-08, injuries and suspensions notwithstanding), and I do feel that if anyone can get the best out of him it would be Lyn Jones. Just how good his best is nowadays is the big question...

But the other thing that puzzles me about this is that centre is arguably the one postion where we're not lacking strength in depth. We've already signed Sonny Parker (not that I'm overly impressed with that one); Hudson was probably our player of the year; Seb Jewell is widely recognised as being the one player who can create something from nothing with his jinking breaks at 12; and James Lewis established himself as first-choice through the play-offs. And let's face it, any club who can afford to leave Paul Mackey and Simon Whatling on the sidelines doesn't need more centres on its books.

Mark, those have been my thoughts. Much as I'd love to see him in red again.

Tbh, I think Lyn will need some coaching backup as a priority, and a front five to stand up to the bullies.

However, if Henson could be 10 and 15 back-up, it may be worth it. We can't rely on Ross and A Davies not getting injured, and he'll be useful there as well as in defence.

I agree with your point about Lyn - we must be the only club in the land who don't have someone to share the workload, whether as an assitant coach, backs coach, forwards coach, whatever. On the London Irish website there are 21 people listed under 'Coaching Staff' - it's not yet been updated to reflect this summer's changes, and they've recruited specialists for kicking (Barrey Everitt) and scrum-halves (Peter Richards) in the last week.

Henson WONT come as a backup player! Just look at what happened with us, we played him at 13 rather than 12 and he walked out!

“I believe it might have been said before, but there is something special happening at Saracens, and I want to be part of it.” - Nils Mordt

Quote:

McSaracens
Henson WONT come as a backup player! Just look at what happened with us, we played him at 13 rather than 12 and he walked out!

Remember that Lyn is the Gav-whisperer!

Quote:

Mark W-J
I agree with your point about Lyn - we must be the only club in the land who don't have someone to share the workload, whether as an assitant coach, backs coach, forwards coach, whatever. On the London Irish website there are 21 people listed under 'Coaching Staff' - it's not yet been updated to reflect this summer's changes, and they've recruited specialists for kicking (Barrey Everitt) and scrum-halves (Peter Richards) in the last week.

Scrum coaches, defence experts, kicking coaches.... That's SO last week.

All you need now is a good set of lawyers!

Quote:

McSaracens
Henson WONT come as a backup player! Just look at what happened with us, we played him at 13 rather than 12 and he walked out!

Yeah, that's the hitch. Unless this really is his last, last, last, last, last, (is that enough?) last chance saloon. Lyn used to play him at 10 and 15 quite a bit (hence his nickname is still 'Tombola' in certain circles) and IIRC he moved around during matches.

He really isn't and never was a 13 though, definitely needs to be in a playmaker position.

With reference to the plane incident with Gavin Henson, do you not think the management and 20 odd other burly players could have kept control of Gavin. Perhaps they all wanted him out of the Region !!!