Gavin Henson is not making any bold predictions about a place in Wales’ World Cup squad after his first training sessions in Rugby League, although he is keen to play in the Challenge Cup, when it gets under way next month.
The former Wales and Lions rugby union international will play in League 1 for West Wales Raiders this season after coming out of retirement.
The 39-year-old has not played any form of rugby since February 2019, and he admitted last week that the physicality of training in Rugby League has taken him aback.
As such, he isn’t yet thinking about the prospect of a World Cup at the end of the year – although he admitted it will become a target if he adapts to the switch in codes.
Henson said: “It’s an obvious one that people will talk about, but I think they might need to watch me in training first; I’m a bit off it.
“If I can get into the (Raiders) team and play my first game then let’s see where we’re at.
“I might be a million miles off, but if I am pretty good out there and have still got some running left in these legs then, yeah, I’ll be looking at that myself.
“But I’m not thinking that way yet – I’m just looking to get into the team for the Raiders, complete a game and see what my levels are like, if I’m any good for this or not.”
One player that has caught Henson’s eye who is almost certain to be involved in the World Cup is St Helens’ Welsh-born winger Regan Grace.
“He’s so fast, isn’t he,” Henson said.
“I wouldn’t want to defend him, he looks rapid, to be fair.
“He looks lightweight compared to everybody else, but he’s probably quite big in person and no one can put a hand on him.”
Last week West Wales Raiders were drawn against Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Challenge Cup, with Henson’s presence already attracting significant publicity.
He hopes that both he and fellow high profile recruit Rangi Chase can lift the club to new heights in 2021.
Henson added: “There’s been a lot of stuff happening off the field which has been positive, but the main thing is on the field.
“It would be great if Rangi and I can have a bit of an influence and bring something into it, just to take us up to another level, which is maybe what we need.
“If we can do our talking on the field, if we can take a scalp, that would be great.
“People would probably respect us a bit more and youngsters coming through might start looking more at Rugby League as well.”
The immediate question is whether Henson will play in the first round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, in which the Raiders have a home draw against Widnes Vikings on the weekend of 21 March
“The Challenge Cup is special,” says Henson.
“I spent a lot of time with Martin Offiah on a certain TV programme, ‘The Hunted’, and he was forever telling me about his statue at Wembley and, to be fair, I can remember watching some of his greatest moments at Wembley on TV.
“He’s told me all about it and that probably made it even more interesting in to be honest.
“It will be great to play in the Challenge Cup game in March.”
Betfred Challenge Cup First Round
London Broncos v Keighley Cougars
Whitehaven v Dewsbury Rams
Oldham v Barrow Raiders
West Wales Raiders v Widnes Vikings
Swinton Lions v Newcastle Thunder
Halifax Panthers v Batley Bulldogs
Sheffield Eagles v York City Knights
Featherstone Rovers v Bradford Bulls
The matches will be played on the weekend of March 20th and 21st
Betfred Challenge Cup Second Round
Swinton Lions or Newcastle Thunder v Oldham or Barrow Raiders
Featherstone Rovers or Bradford Bulls v Halifax Panthers or Batley Bulldogs
London Broncos or Keighley Cougars v Sheffield Eagles or York City Knights
West Wales Raiders or Widnes Vikings v Whitehaven or Dewsbury Rams
The second round games will be played on the weekend of March 27th/28th
The above content is also available in the regular weekly edition of League Express, on newsstands every Monday in the UK and as a digital download. Click here for more details.