Gavin Henson Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Gavin Henson

Birth name

Gavin Lloyd Henson

Date of birth

1 February 1982 (age 43)

Place of birth

Pencoed, Mid Glamorgan, Wales

Height

188 cm (6 ft 2 in)

Weight

102 kg (225 lb; 16 st 1 lb)

School

Plas-y-Felin Primary School, Brynteg Comprehensive, Bridgend, Wales

Rugby union career

Senior career
Position(s)	Fly half Centre Fullback
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2000	Llanelli	1	(5)
2000–2003	Swansea	57	(391)
2003–2009	Ospreys	98	(778)
2010–2011	Saracens	3	(0)
2011	Toulon	3	(5)
2011–2012	Cardiff Blues	8	(0)
2012–2013	London Welsh	9	(67)
2013–2015	Bath	35	(72)
2015–2017	Bristol	27	(271)
2017-2019	Dragons	15	(98)
2024	Pencoed	1	(5)
Correct as of 16 September 2024
National team(s)
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2001–2011	Wales	33	(130)
2005	British and Irish Lions	1	(0)

Rugby league career

Playing information

Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2021	West Wales	1	0	0	0	0

Gavin Lloyd Henson (born 1 February 1982) is a Welsh former professional rugby union player. He played in positions like fly-half, fullback, and inside centre.

From 2000 to 2019, he played for many clubs. These included Llanelli, Swansea RFC, the Ospreys, Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff Blues, London Welsh, Bath, Bristol, and the Dragons.

Gavin Henson earned 33 caps for the Wales national team. He also played once for the British & Irish Lions. He was a key part of the Wales team that won two Grand Slams in the Six Nations Championship. These wins happened in 2005 and 2008. He also toured New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions in 2005.

After his rugby union career, Henson appeared in several reality TV shows. These included 71 Degrees North, Strictly Come Dancing, The Bachelor, and Celebrity Hunted. In 2021, he started playing rugby league for West Wales Raiders.

Gavin Henson's Rugby Journey
Gavin Henson in Popular Media
Gavin Henson's Personal Life
Television Appearances
Images for kids
See also

Gavin Henson's Rugby Journey

Early Career and Swansea/Ospreys Years: 2000–2009

Gavin Henson was born in Pencoed, Wales. He played rugby for his school, Brynteg Comprehensive. At 18, he joined Swansea RFC. In 2001, he received the International Rugby Board's Young Player of the Year award.

Henson made his international debut for Wales in June 2001. He came on as a substitute against Japan. He then started his next game at fly-half against Romania. Later that year, he scored his first international try for Wales A against Uruguay.

Gavin Henson playing for the Ospreys.

In 2003, Welsh regional rugby began. Henson joined the Ospreys. He scored two tries and kicked points in his debut for them. He returned to play for Wales in 2003, playing against the All Blacks and Romania.

Henson became more widely known in 2004. He played well in Wales' autumn international matches. These included games against New Zealand and South Africa. He became a regular player for Wales.

He continued to play for the team in the 2005 Six Nations Championship. In the first game against England, Henson played very well. He made important tackles and kicked the winning penalty from 48 meters. He was named man of the match. With his club, the Ospreys, Henson helped them win the Celtic League cup in 2005. He scored 24 points in the final match.

In the summer of 2005, Henson was chosen for the Lions squad to tour New Zealand. He was disappointed not to play in the first Test. He was selected for the second Test but got injured. This injury prevented him from playing in the final Test.

Gavin Henson playing for Wales.

Henson was recalled to the Welsh Squad after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He played against South Africa. He then started all of Wales' games in the 2008 Six Nations Championship. Wales went on to win the Grand Slam for the second time in four seasons.

Taking a Break and Returning to Rugby: 2009–2019

In July 2009, there were reports that Henson planned to retire from rugby. However, Henson and the Ospreys quickly denied this. Henson said he had injury problems but no plans to quit. He took a break from professional rugby for about 18 months.

In October 2010, Henson was released from his contract with the Ospreys. He then joined the English club Saracens. He made his debut for Saracens in December 2010. This was his first competitive game since March 2009. After playing four games, he left Saracens in February 2011.

He then signed a five-month contract with the French club Toulon. In April 2011, he faced a suspension after an incident outside of a match. After a review, Toulon decided to bring him back to the squad. However, he was released by Toulon in May 2011.

In June 2011, Henson played his first match for Wales in two years. He played well against the Barbarians. He was then named in Wales' squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. However, he dislocated his wrist in a warm-up game against England. This injury kept him out of the World Cup.

In October 2011, Henson signed with the Cardiff Blues. In April 2012, his contract was ended by the club. This followed reports of his behavior on a flight.

In July 2012, Henson signed with London Welsh. They had just been promoted to the top English league. In June 2013, he left London Welsh to join Bath. He said he wanted to play at the highest level. In July 2013, he was involved in an incident with a teammate.

Henson's form improved while playing for Bath. He was playing well in the center position. In January 2015, it was announced that Henson would leave Bath to join RFU Championship side Bristol. He left Bath four months early to join Bristol in February.

In March 2017, Henson returned to Wales. He signed a two-year contract with the Dragons. He played for them from the 2017–18 season.

International Tries for Wales

Try	Opponent	Location	Venue	Date	Result
1	South Africa	Cardiff, Wales	Millennium Stadium	6 November 2004	Loss
2	South Africa	Cardiff, Wales	Millennium Stadium	6 November 2004	Loss
3	Romania	Cardiff, Wales	Millennium Stadium	12 November 2004	Win

Switch to Rugby League

After leaving the Dragons in 2019, Henson retired from rugby union. He then bought a pub. In September 2020, it was announced that he would join the rugby league team West Wales Raiders. They play in the sport's third tier.

He made his debut for the Raiders in March 2021. This was in a Challenge Cup match against Widnes Vikings.

Gavin Henson in Popular Media

Gavin Henson has appeared on several TV shows. In September 2010, he was on 71 Degrees North, a challenge show set in Norway. He finished in second place. He then competed on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. He was partnered with Katya Virshilas.

In August 2011, he starred in The Bachelor on Channel 5. On this show, 25 women competed to win his affection. He has received some criticism for these TV appearances.

Gavin Henson's Personal Life

Gavin Henson's relationship with singer Charlotte Church was often in the news. They had a daughter, Ruby Megan, born in September 2007. Their second child, a son, was born in January 2009. In May 2010, the couple announced they had ended their relationship.

In 2011, Henson chose Carianne Barrow as his girlfriend on The Bachelor. They later split up in March 2012.

On 28 September 2019, Gavin Henson married his long-term partner, Katie Wilson Mould. They got married in Guiting Power, Gloucestershire. In December 2020, they had their first child together, a son.

In May 2019, Henson became the owner of a pub called The Fox and Hounds. It is located in St Brides Major in the Vale of Glamorgan. After renovations, he shortened its name to 'The Fox'.