Latest news with #GavinHenson
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gavin Henson interview: How I prepared to die when I went on the pitch, why Wales would kill for a player like me now, running a pub, why I've only had one good drink in a year... and the chimp that ran my mind
By his own admission, Gavin Henson isn't a big reader. But when he found the right book, it changed his life as he realised a chimp had been running his mind. The former Wales and British & Irish Lions star, now 43, is 20 years removed from that night in Cardiff against England that launched him as a household name and set his country on the way to a first Grand Slam for 27 years and an era of Six Nations dominance.
Irish Daily Mirror
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lions star once compared to Beckham and dated Charlotte Church now works in pub
Once hailed as 'the David Beckham of rugby', Gavin Henson was on the brink of joining the sport's legends. There was a period when Wales' golden lad was frequently in the news, and not always for his exploits on the pitch. As the British and Irish Lions gear up to clinch a series win over Australia this Saturday, fans will remember Henson's contribution to the 2005 tour of New Zealand. The adaptable fly-half and centre, who later flaunted his dance skills on Strictly Come Dancing during a rugby hiatus, travelled to New Zealand as part of the squad that took on a legendary All Blacks team. Henson's glitzy image extended off the field, particularly due to his high-profile romance with singer Charlotte Church. Since hanging up his boots, the Welshman has kept himself occupied as the successful landlord of a pub near his residence, and Wales Online delves into Henson's Lions stint and his life after rugby. Gavin Henson's Lions tour Henson's time with the Lions was short and somewhat sour. Taking on New Zealand, who were world champions at the time, was an intimidating task even for the most seasoned players, reports Wales Online. At just 23, Henson was picked by coach Clive Woodward to join the Lions on their tour, making five appearances that summer. This included playing inside centre in the second Test, which ended in a crushing 48-18 defeat to the hosts, who went on to win the series 3-0. Unfortunately, Henson bore some responsibility for New Zealand's opening try in that Wellington encounter. His missed tackle on Dan Carter allowed the All Blacks to race 70 metres upfield, with skipper Tana Umaga crossing for the hosts' first score. (Image: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) A troublesome stinger injury ruled Henson out of the third Test, despite having bagged two tries against Southland previously. By that stage, though, the Lions' chances of success had already evaporated after suffering a second straight Test defeat. More recently, Henson correctly forecast that head coach Andy Farrell would pick his son, Owen, for the squad. He also put forward the intriguing proposition that England's Fin Smith should get the nod ahead of Scotland's Finn Russell for the Tests, though this hasn't materialised. "The No. 10 spot is a big decision for Farrell to make... probably the biggest," he told The Rugby Paper in June. "Personally, I would start with Smith. He brings other players around him into the game, whereby with Finn Russell it is more of an individual thing. You need to bring the whole game around him – and I'm not sure we have the time with the limited warm-up games to do that." What is Gavin Henson's net worth? Determining an exact figure for Henson's current wealth is tricky, but Yahoo! earlier this year estimated his worth at around £800,000. This estimate is largely based on his rugby career, with little information available about his current earnings from running The Fox pub and any other business ventures he may have. Henson first made a name for himself playing for Swansea before moving to the Ospreys, who were then a formidable force in European rugby. This move led to him securing a four-year contract with the region in 2005, which The Guardian reported was worth £750,000 (almost £190,000 annually before tax). In the early days of professional rugby, such a sum represented a massive payday, particularly for someone just starting their career. After that deal ended, Henson played for several clubs including Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff, Bath, Bristol and the Dragons, although he never quite managed to recapture the brilliance of his early rise. After retiring from rugby at Newport in 2019, the versatile star quickly moved into the hospitality industry by becoming the landlord of The Fox (formerly The Fox and Hounds). Today, Henson has turned his venture into a roaring success, often promoting his brand through speaking engagements. (Image: Mark Lewis) In conversation with The Times, he said: "I was coming to the end of my career, and it [the pub] had been sat here for 18 months, two years. It was not nice for the village, and I needed something to do after rugby and to be busy, not to mourn rugby and get depressed, as they say everyone does. "But be careful what you wish for because this is so full-on. We want to feel like we've achieved something with the pub. We're perfectionists. We're all about the detail." Charlotte Church romance Henson's relationship with Church became public in 2005 when he was at his rugby peak. Their first child, daughter Ruby, arrived in September 2007. The pair then welcomed son Dexter in January 2009 and appeared headed for the altar after becoming engaged that year. However, wedding plans were cancelled in mid-2010 when Henson and Church decided to go their separate ways. Their five-year relationship was constantly under the spotlight, with extensive coverage in newspapers and celebrity magazines. This relentless media scrutiny likely played a major role in their breakup, as both Henson and Church had faced intense public attention since their early careers began. The former couple have remained tight-lipped about why they separated, though Church told Heat Magazine it was a joint choice: "When he proposed, I was overjoyed. It was amazing. I really was going to marry Gav and spend the rest of my life with him. (Image: Dave M. Benett, Getty Images) "But then he came back from Norway [where he filmed reality show 71 Degrees North], and he'd changed, and I'd had time to think. We had both had a change of heart, so we were both of the same mind." Now, it's understood they keep an amicable relationship whilst raising their teenage children together. Henson has since moved forward and wed Katie Wilson Mould in 2019, whilst Church married musician Jonathan Powell in 2017.
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Gavin Henson makes Owen Farrell Lions call after spotting problem with Finn Russell
Gavin Henson makes Owen Farrell Lions call after spotting problem with Finn Russell Wales icon Gavin Henson says the starting fly-half for the first Test is the biggest call for Andy Farrell. Gavin Henson thinks Andy Farrell could still call on his son for the Lions tour. (Image: David Davies/PA Wire. ) Gavin Henson thinks Owen Farrell may be called up during the Lions tour, and has made a bold call on who he thinks should wear the number 10 jersey in the first Test against the Wallabies on July 19. Going into 2025, most rugby fans and pundits assumed that Scotland international Finn Russell would be a guaranteed starter come that first game against Joe Schmidt's side. He'd been a star performer for Bath and excelled on the Test stage for quite some time. However, Northampton Saints number 10 Fin Smith emerged as a potential competitor after impressing for Steve Borthwick and England in the Six Nations. Speaking in an interview with The Rugby Paper, former Wales international Henson explained that he thinks Andy Farrell would be better off selecting Smith over Russell in the first Test. Henson explained that Russell tends to "boss" games and "everyone else has to understand and work out what he is going to do next with the ball." "The number 10 spot is a big decision for Farrell to make… probably the biggest," Henson said. "Personally, I would start with Smith. He brings other players around him into the game, whereby with Finn Russell it is more of an individual thing. You need to bring the whole game around him - and I'm not sure we have the time with the limited warm-up games to do that. Article continues below "For me, it is going to be a big call to put Russell in for that first Test because of the way he plays. He likes to boss it and everyone else has to understand and work out what he is going to do next with the ball. "Whether that can all come together so quickly is difficult. But with Smith, it will probably just all click into place easily because he makes other players look good… it's all about them and not just the number 10." One fly-half not on tour is Saracens-bound Farrell, who has not been involved in international rugby of late, after he decided to take a break for the betterment of his mental health. Despite this, Henson believes Lions boss Farrell could pick his own son further down the line. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. "I believe (Andy) Farrell will get it right. He's a great guy, great talker and a great leader. I wasn't surprised he didn't pick his son as he has been injured and not playing international rugby. "But I will be surprised if he doesn't end up out there." Article continues below Farrell has been playing his rugby out in the Top 14 with Racing 92, but it was confirmed earlier this month that the legendary fly-half would be returning to Saracens on a two-year deal.
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Gavin Henson and former Wales stars to play on same side against Welsh club team
Gavin Henson and former Wales stars to play on same side against Welsh club team The event on June 21 aims to be a celebration of rugby Former Wales and British Lions player Gavin Henson playing for his local team Pencoed RFC last year (Image: Mark Lewis Photography ) A number of Welsh legends are set to pull on their boots once again - and it won't cost fans a penny to come and watch. Usk RFC are inviting a number of stars from years gone by to compete in two touch rugby matches this Saturday, as they celebrate the end of their 150th season. The club, who currently compete in League 2 East, are believed to have played their first match against Newport in 1874, and have played every season since with the exception of the period during the two World Wars. They are now set to honour and celebrate a century-and-half of history this weekend, with a host of big names set to get involved. Gavin Henson, Sam Parry, Lloyd Williams, Elliot Dee, Aaron Wainwright, Ryan Jones, Scott Baldwin and Bradley Davies are all among those set to take part in the club's 'Legends Day' celebrations. The 'Legends' team will take on the club's under-14s side for a 2pm kick-off, before facing Usk's first team straight after. Article continues below Gates will open at midday, and entry is free. Food stalls, including a hog roast, and various activities will be on offer, with any proceeds set to contribute to the club's support for two Tongan teenagers, whom they decided to sponsor last year. As committee member Ro Kulkarni explains: "One was 17 and one was 18, and both came here last year from very poor families. They've both come over and they're studying here and they're now getting an education. "They're Nico and David, who's known as Tongan Dai! "Everyone's pooled together to help these boys. They're like our children. And the best thing is they're both wonderful rugby players. "Their education costs around £9,000 a year. They have college fees and then you've got to pay for food, accommodation, travel. All the other things. So it's a serious amount of money to raise every year. But so many people have given their support. "There's a butcher in Abergavenny that gives them a bucket of meat every two weeks, some have donated them food and clothes, the Celtic Manor have helped give them a flat for them to stay. Another family put them up for a few weeks. "We've had great support from Toby Faletau's dad, Sione Tu'ipulotu, and Kepu Tuipulotu, who plays for Bath. So the Tongan community have been so supportive. "So to celebrate our 150th year we thought we'd do something really nice. Partly to raise money, but it's not just to raise money. It's about giving back." Kulkarni, who worked as team doctor for the Dragons for the best part of 10 years before leaving in 2017, says the event will also be a chance for youngsters to meet and greet some of the game's biggest names. "It's open for all," he added. "It's for kids and there will be lots of food stalls, face painting etc. The fire service are bringing a fire engine for the kids. So there's a lot going on. "The event has also been sponsored by Heineken, who have donated five barrels of beer for the event. Article continues below "It's a day for everyone to mingle. Kids can meet their heroes and have pictures taken, sign autographs. "It's a celebration of rugby."
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gavin Henson: The kick that changed everything
Men's Six Nations: Wales v England Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 15 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMT Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC Sport website and app, plus S4C via iPlayer. Text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live. Gavin Henson never underestimated himself. Two decades have passed since his kick to beat England paved the way to a first Welsh Grand Slam in 27 years. His first answer in a post-match TV interview summed up his role in one of the most defining moments in Welsh sporting history: "It was written for me wasn't it?" The 72,000 supporters in the stadium and the millions at home could also sense the greater significance of his match-winning penalty. As the ball sailed between the posts, former England prop Brian Moore on commentary remarked: "Do not underestimate the enormity of that kick." With the benefit of hindsight, Moore's line had a dual meaning: Henson's kick would transform the Welsh sporting landscape; it would also change Gavin Henson's life forever. A mile or so away from the Principality Stadium, in a local pub, another Welsh icon Charlotte Church, was glued to the TV. She decided to hunt down the man in the silver boots. "I was in here watching the game, and I didn't know Gav before that. And then I was like, I'm gonna go out and find him in town," said the singer. Church was speaking on her podcast Kicking Back with the Cardiffians where she also described the pressures of life in the spotlight. This was the life Henson stepped into when they eventually met, forging Wales' version of Posh and Becks - former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and England captain David Beckham. Henson went from a well-known rugby player to a front-page UK celebrity. The mid-noughties was the era of reality TV, where the tabloids and glossy magazines like Heat and Hello were king and queen makers. Henson would go on to star in a variety of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Bachelor. He was, arguably, the most famous man in Wales. Ex-Wales back Henson makes shock appearance for Welsh fourth-tier club Henson to make rugby league debut Henson remains as enigmatic as ever, making him the perfect subject for a series to coincide with the 20-year anniversary of that kick, and so Golden Boy: Finding Gavin Henson was conceived. The purpose of the podcast was to track him down and speak to him. The finding part was the easy bit. He owns a pub in the Vale of Glamorgan, where he lives a quiet life pulling pints and washing pans. Convincing Henson to revisit his own story was the challenge. Numerous colleagues had attempted and failed to get his involvement in a documentary series. He would often agree tentatively to the initial idea before eventually pulling out, or in some cases fail to reply to any further messages. The idea of this superstar hiding in plain sight fascinated us, so we decided to document the process of reaching out to him whilst also telling the remarkable story of his life on and off the field. Henson would eventually retire in 2019. The final decade of his career would see him bounce along from club to club, embroiled in numerous controversies. It was often easy at that time to forget the huge impact he had as a player in the mid to late noughties. Henson was instrumental in the Grand Slam successes of 2005 and 2008. His partnership with Tom Shanklin was the cornerstone of the team's attacking and defensive system. "I would just be in awe of what he could do, whether it be upending someone in a tackle, whether it be smashing a conversion or a penalty, whether it be his vision, putting someone into a hole," said Shanklin. "When he was on form and he wanted to play there was no one better." Six months after his heroics against England, at 23 years of age, Henson decided to publish an autobiography which would tear the national team apart. In the book he openly criticised several of his team-mates and the saga would eventually lead to the resignation of head coach Mike Ruddock. A couple of years later the Welsh Rugby Union decided to use his image in a 100ft poster promoting their new kit. There was only one issue: Henson was on a self-imposed hiatus from the game. Henson was an outlier, a man who split the opinions of team-mates, coaches and supporters. He was his own man who would strike his own hits. Which brings us back to the kick. There is less than five minutes left on the clock, England lead 9-8 when a penalty is awarded to Wales. Stephen Jones had taken the previous kicks that day, but he stepped away. "When you have someone with an amazing talent who can kick a ball a long, long way, and you have a secret weapon and someone who has the ability to smash a ball 50 metres, you think, well, we've got to use this guy," said Jones. Jones understood that a kick of around that distance at an angle was beyond his and most people's range. "There's not many people now in world rugby who can take on kicks of that distance comfortably," he said. Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell is a self-confessed kicking nerd. Even he concedes that he very rarely practised from that position on the pitch. "It is almost Hollywoodesque in terms of the script is written and you just step up and you do it. I think it's the sort of effortlessness," Patchell told the podcast. Effortlessness is an appropriate term to describe Henson's playing career. He seemed blessed with abilities that others simply did not possess. He could do what others could not and he did it with ease. It is this unique sporting ability that was the ultimate driver in my effort to speak to him. It is fair to say that the journey has been challenging. Henson remains as unpredictable as ever, occasionally resurfacing before returning to the shadows. It is that elusiveness that fascinates me and so many others. Golden Boy: Finding Gavin Henson is available now on BBC Sounds
