Henson given reprieve by Toulon

Gavin Henson was hoping for a long-term deal with Toulon

Gavin Henson’s suspension by Toulon has been lifted following the outcome of the French club’s disciplinary process.

The 29-year-old had been given a one-week ban after an incident with his team-mates in a nightclub.

“President Mourad Boudjellal and Toulon’s sporting staff have decided to reintegrate Welsh centre Gavin Henson into the Toulon squad,” said Toulon.

Henson, who had not trained with the squad during his ban, told AFP on Monday: “Yes, I am staying”

Henson will now be available for selection to face Montpellier in the Top 14 on Saturday.

A victory will secure Toulon a place in the end-of-season play-offs for the top six sides in France’s premier division.

Henson joined Toulon on a five-month deal in February, and the club have an option to extend his stay for a further two years.

But Toulon made no mention of Henson’s longer-term future at the club in their statement on Monday, which simply said his suspension had ended.

The Wales and Lions centre, who last played for his country in 2009, has played only two games since joining Toulon.

All seemed well when he made an immediate impression by creating and scoring a try in his debut in a 38-10 win over Stade Francais in the Top 14.

He played in the next league game when Toulon boosted their chances of grabbing a play-off place by beating Toulouse 21-9 at home.

But his penchant for controversy resurfaced again when he was given a week’s suspension by the club for failing to “respect the code of good behaviour defined by the club” during a night out with team-mates after that match.

He met Toulon’s officials on Wednesday to give his side of the story, and the club took until Monday to consider their verdict.

President Boudjellal had insisted Henson would be granted a fair hearing, although he conceded he did have problems with a player whose career is becoming synonymous with off-field problems rather than playing brilliance.

“This week I have tried to find out what happened because I have to make a decision which is the most objective possible,” said Boudjellal last week.

“I think I know now what happened, so I will make decisions on Monday. We are not here to back him into a corner. He is a boy who makes mistakes sometimes. He’s not the only one in rugby. There are others.”

He added: “You can tell that he’s a great player. He’s a cut above and makes me think of Sonny Bill Williams. They are boys who are cuts above. But sometimes they hit rock bottom.”

After a self-imposed 18-month rugby exile because of injury and personal problems, Henson returned to the rugby field in December 2010 after negotiating his release from his Ospreys contract to join Saracens.

Four appearances later, he made a surprise move to the south of France to join Toulon on a five-month deal. But a calf injury suffered playing for Sarries had delayed his debut until early April.

His impressive debut prompted Wales assistant coach, Rob Howley, to say Henson was “very likely” to play for the national side against the Barbarians on 4 June.

But this latest indiscretion has raised severe doubts over his chances of winning his 32nd cap, and the Welsh Rugby Union want to meet Henson to discuss the situation.

Andy Powell, suspended by his club London Wasps following a bar brawl, has also been invited to such a meeting.