for me on raw tallent and skill, one of the all time greats, if at 12, up there with BOD for the best northern hemisphere center of his generation. sadly i have to cavieat this with its only on rugby skill and tallen, he and brian are poles apart as people, and that is why there is such divergence between their respective career paths
Brilliant video. Thank you. Henson was one of my favourite players when I was a young player and really into rugby. He usually looked a class above his team mates. He was definitely good for the sport, and as i have got older i appreciate sport for its moments. He certainly gave us some of those.
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed. Yeah, I agree with you. I was always gutted that he didn’t fulfil his potential for Wales but as I’ve got older and now looking back making this video I really do appreciate the moments he gave us
As an Irishman, i'm still relieved hd didn't step up to kick that final penalty from halfway for Wales. He would have snapped it through ghe uprights where Jones after 80 mins was always likely to come up short. 🙏🏻 Henson was a phenomenal kicker, made it look easy.
Absolutely this! I'm a Scot but loved watching Henson turn up....he was a class player. Seems a bit unfair folk bring up lack of brains and leg shaving. Great talent. Thanks op.
Still don't know to this day why he didn't take it? Don't forget earlier in that game when he let the ball bounce in front of him, Tommy Bowe caught it, left him for dead and scored under the posts
In all my years of rugby knowledge and watching rugby, plus being a fan of Welsh Rugby this is my first time hearing about this guy, plus i wondered why he's not talked about. Keep making these videos man i really like them.
Thank you very much, much appreciated. Yeah wholeheartedly agree, I really think he just wanted a coach to constantly put their arm around him and reinforced to him how good he was. I think he had that under Lyn Jones and Ruddock and you can see what it did for him
Class film. From an Irish perspective he was an obvious world player talent, 'head & shoulders', so there is a question remaining which you cover well. Sheer talent gets you some way but certainly does not lead to success at all, you also need help, luck, security & even more effort/training. I'm one of those people who always rubbed my bosses up the wrong way, so I'm very sympathetic to GH. I think of Wales as home to flamboyant rugby talent & hope to see that return, may you produce another Henson.
I remember as a welshman we used to call gav 'the sun' because he was big, orange & didn't shine enough! He was undoubtedly one of the most talented players of his generation but as this video perfectly covers never fulfilled his potential. Whether that was because of his own self destructive episodes or that he never found that perfect coach that made him feel wanted which i think is what he really needed. Great video WSP, you have yourself a new subscriber sir.
Ha ha I like that comparison 👏🏼 Yeah I think the coach thing is interesting tbh. He fell out with most of them so who knows what could have happened if he found the right guy. Thanks for watching 👍🏼🏴
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastno offence however, to have Jenkins (great place kicker) and Jones (good allrounder) ahead of Henson is a joke - neither has anywhere near, not in the same stratosphere, the same level of talent! What a monumentally stupid thing to have done... from an Englishman... he had a real rugby brain and played heads up rugby, one of the best all round players ever to grace the game, I’m deadly serious!
@@dannyboywhaa3146 I totally agree with you but as this video points out gav was his own worst enemy most of the time. But a genuine talant that should have been the heart of the welsh team for many years.
@@montybrewster7 well yes, mercurial talents often need a bit more guidance... so many examples etc... shame, but it think both sides are at fault to a degree! I just remember what a beast he was in the tackle as well! Perfect, dream No. 10!
When Gav played for the Whites early on, I remember him practising kicking before a game, ball placed by corner flag and bending it through posts. Not once either. Outrageous talent, people forget he was world young player of the year, competition from southern hemisphere blitzed. A good coach needed for his career, a consistent position and incentives to keep him motivated.
Oh mate, I couldn’t agree more. Such an outrageous talent could literally do anything he wanted and it’s just a shame we didn’t get to see him 100 caps instead of the 30 odd
Christian boy! I absolutely LOVED this video. Hope to see more like it in the future! Henson had it all, man. Speed, power, size, awareness, skill. The one thing he lacked was probably the most important thing and that’s commitment to his job. But that was his prerogative. He wanted to be more than just a rugby player. He wanted to be a celebrity and just the way it is unfortunately. From things I’ve heard about people that know/have met him, he’s a very shy, humble and nice guy. Personally, I root for him. He basically single-handedly won us that England game which basically won us the 2005 grand slam and kick started a great period of Welsh rugby and I’ll always think of him in high regard. I would love to see a similar video about James Hook. Another player that didn’t live up to potential. But his problem wasn’t himself, it was that Gatland seemed to hate him.
Smabo! Thanks mate. Yeah hoping to do some similar stuff mixed in with the usual talking head stuff. Got a few idea, James Hook though is a good shout, thanks mate 👍🏼 Yeah that’s similar to what heard while making this. Reminded me of the current LRZ situation. Wants to be a celebrity more than a rugby player. Lots log parallels 😬 Unfortunately it seamed like he was often his own worst enemy. I just wish people around him could have kept him on the straight and narrow but ya know. 2 grand slams. Can’t turn your nose up at that 🏆🏆
Before 2005 I used to train down merthyr mawr sand dunes and see him down there regularly he was a little shy and quite. He was committed to his training but agree he wanted higher celebrity status. The same as LRZ another wasted talent that would also have been a Great
Some good insight there mate thanks. He would have to be committed to be able to play at that high level. It’s just unfortunate that with more success came more things to take his attention. He’s only human after all I guess
Loved watching Gavin play, what a talent, but it was clear he was carrying a fair amount of baggage somewhere which, ultimately, held him back from reaching his full potential. Great docu. Fairly done.
Thank you, much appreciated. Yeah, I think he simply wanted to be more than a rugby player (similar to LRZ now) but maybe just didn’t know exactly how to apply himself to get what he wanted
That was a good reflection on Gav's career, the last Irish game, he was "wolf whistled every time he touched the ball, he was very sombre on the plane coming home, I was sat next to him and Charlotte (across the aisle).
The best explanation that I have heard for Henson’s behaviour - and it fits with how he is in interviews - is that he was basically very shy. That’s also what I have heard Charlotte Church say about him.
Thanks mate. I’ve been working on this vid a while so I really got to know the guy 😂 It’s a strange combo of wanting attention and being shy of it all at the same time 🤷🏻♂️
I can't remember where I read or saw it now but he was also described as a 'shy extrovert' maybe a contradiction in terms , but it sort of makes sense, wanting to look good for the fans , the hair and grooming etc which wasn't typical for rugby players- in front of 80,000 fans at the Millenium Stadium he was able to kick pressure penalties from the touchline with the crowd going mad. Maybe he was less comfortable one on one with people in a normal environment (unless he'd had a drink!)
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast I haven't watched the whole video yet so you might cover this but there was a story from Martyn Williams I think it was who said before an International the players were asking Gav why he was spending so long in the mirror on his hair, he said something like 'Your Mum and Dad have come to see you 80,000 have come to see me!' 😁
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Although we can all lament the waste of a huge talent I am grateful for his massive contribution to the 2005 slam and further international outings. His running looked effortless, and such vision and timing. If I saw him in public I would thank him for what he brought in 2005 and buy him a pint, though maybe that is not such a good idea!
Cheers Mike much appreciated. Your point exactly he had hands in into six nations Grand Slams and for all his floors, he was certainly a quality player
Henson was one of the most naturally talented rugby players in world rugby at his best...he looked like he had do much time on the ball even st international level which is an indication of just how good he was.. sometimes personal lives clash with the very best players .. Eric cantona was a loose cannon genious on the pitch and it wasn't untill Ferguson man management skills brought the very best and consistency from Eric.. some players just need to be treated and managed differently especially when those players are naturally gifted.. I feel Henson was one of those players and I loved watching him play for Wales.. strong athletic in attack and could smash in defence with superb vision exceptional handling skills and a great boot... the total 15 man rugby wales played in hensons grand slam was brilliant to watch.. also that elbow in the face which knocked him out in the bar was a sly cheap shot .. also that elbow Henson threw against that Leicester player if you look closely the Leicester player was coming in to Henson with a swinging arm of his own which Henson saw and Henson beat him to it .. not condoning it but you have to look after yourself on the pitch and that Leicester player was definitely coming in to twat Henson but got floored instead
Yes, you’re right about Alex Marino, he looked like he was coming to clear them out of the ball but I don’t think it was as dirty as what Henson did Overall agree with everything you said, he was always quality when he was on his game and he really did help make Wales a better team when he was involved. I really do wish we could’ve seen him play a 100 times for Wales but what we did get to see was great🏴
I think the significance of the 2009 injury just before Lions selection was downplayed/overlooked in this video and played a huge factor in his decision to take the sabbatical.
Love the content dude. I was in my teens when Henson started coming tho to prominence, His game against England where he was the best player on the pitch was amazing. It's unfortunate that he couldn't live up to his potential. Would have been one amazing player if he did. I'm happy I got to watch his talent play for Wales tho , his fame / infamy definitely help bring though a generation of talented youngsters.
Yeah we’re probably I similar age. On his day he was quality. He could just never hold it all together. But what a player to whiteness in full flow. Like you said he no doubt inspired a few young kids to take up rugby which is great
Great vid. Its interesting you touched on the social awkwardness side of things as I listened to a BBC Podcast a few years ago where Tom Shanklin and Matt Dawson were talking about him. Dawson thought he was vastly overrated as he's communication was really poor during training sessions on the 05 Lions Tour (He alluded to Henson not saying other players names during calls and when challenged saying it was because he didnt know what to call them) Shanklin said that was just his personality and he was a massive introvert even though his playing style and appearance gave the impression he wasnt.
Thank you mate. Yeah that’s basically the vibe I got from everything I read and researched for this video. There’s an interesting Jackel and Hyde type thing going on😂
For all round ability he's up there with the best. This vid made me wonder if Mike Ruddock had stayed on he might have had the consistency he did under Gatland. It's just too welsh to look for the negatives in his career, 2 Grand Slams, MAGNIFICO!
Yeah that’s a great point actually. In his book he spoke about how much he got on with Ruddock so you could be on to something there. Who knows but what a player when he was on song 🏴
Advance payments for book deals can be pretty high ... so Gav probably saw the numbers and thought "why not!" But as you said, he clearly didn't consider the heat it would bring.
Sort of unrelated but I was doing security at ITV on the Southbank in London, back in 2008 or so. Gavin and Charlotte came into reception carrying their kid. It was crowded and they were getting stared at a bit so they sort of drifted over to where I was standing beside the turnstiles. I could hear them chatting quietly, fussing over their kid, which must have been their daughter Ruby. It was a nice few minutes because I felt like they didn't want to be disturbed and standing beside me gave them a bit of space. I was tempted to chirp about him smashing Tait but I kept my peace and stood quietly by. A little while later I was trotting across our underground carpark and they were there loading their stuff into their car. Charlotte gave me the loveliest smile as I went past, just kind of acknowledging me as the guy from upstairs I guess, but it made my day. Also, for Welsh fans, Gareth Thomas popped into ITV a fair bit back then. He was in one day with his mate, who looked like a front rower, and the two of them had bags or backpacks they needed to stow. The girls at reception weren't allowed to store stuff but we had a broom closet behind the turnstiles and I told Gareth I could put their bags in there. Predictably enough they were both great guys, friendly and down to earth. And lastly, talking sport, Freddie Flintoff came in one day, also around 2008, with this beautiful but rather sullen and headstrong looking woman who must have been his wife. I don't know if he was having a bad day but he walked around reception like an absolute dickhead, sneering down at everyone there. It wasn't like he was being bothered, the people in there were just minding their own business, but he left the room in no doubt he didn't think much of any of us.
Ah thank you mate. Really nice insight and it’s actually good to know that these guys are actually humble and friendly away from the limelight. I always felt that him and Charlotte probably copped more unnecessary rubbish than they deserved. Hopefully they both found some happiness and calm now there careers are sort of over. Interesting about Freddie. Maybe he was just a bit more of a big wig than a humble working class rugby players🤷🏻♂️ thanks again for sharing mate. Cool stories👍🏼
RE the Bath incident with Carl Fearns - i might be misquoting but I remember David Flatman talking on his podcast about it (he'd recently retired and i think was still working at the club in some form) and apparently after the fight the management gathered all the players and said "if you lot want him out then he's gone" and the squad unanimously said they loved him and wanted him to stay. I think they'd heard about Gav turning into a monster when drunk and plied him with booze to see what would happen and we all saw the result... It does all point to an interesting character, not black and white and certainly not all bad. Just a complicated guy in an era before rugby clubs knew how to handle complicated or difficult people (other than knocking them out or sacking them anyway)
Yeah, agreed with your summation. As you said is the somewhat paradoxical character who wanted attention but also was very shy. Good to hear that the bath guy is actually wanted to keep him around though and in fairness while I researching this, I didn’t find any of his teammates that really slated him at all🤷🏻♂️
I was at Stradey when he slammed Garan Evans into the hoardings. It was so callously dirty, the stadium was in absolute uproar! I don’t think I forgave him for that. I am glad he came into Welsh rugby though, he was a star. I just wish he could have been more focused on his playing and possibly a bit more grateful for every game. I’m older now, as he is, and I will say to him, if I meet him, ‘Thank you Gav, you were brilliant pal’.
Great comment Jim 👌🏼As most of us he’s made mistakes but a lot of the players seemed to actually really like him which says a lot and I think if I seen him in person I’d do the same thing too 👍🏼
A mercurial talent when he wanted to be. He literally had everything, strength, pace, technical ability and great decision making. A mix of ego and injury curbed his potential and career ultimately.
Yeah, hundred percent. Also, I think alcohol played a big part in railing him. By all accounts an absolutely lovely guy, but when he’s had a drink in him, there’s definitely an edge😂
I think people forget what a good player he actually was. Unfortunate all the off field/celebrity nonsense detracted from his on field career. He was absolutely quality and should’ve ended his career as a test centurion for Wales.
Awesome video. It was exciting when henson played. I remember that kick against england and that year was amazing. Its a shame his off the field antics and lack of discipline at times got in the way.
I think he needed guidance in his private life and attitude to fulfil his potential. If he received this, he should have listened. It’s a shame, as his potential was massive, when he played well he was just untouchable 🙏
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast true, I actually didn’t think of that side to be fair. I bet he was tempted left right and centre, the hangers on and the fame seekers - it’s an easy trap to fall in as a young man 👍 great episode, some of those tackles are still audible today 🤣👍👍👍
Crazy as it sounds I think his issues were summed up perfectly when he was on that Come Dancing show. His professional partner was struggling to get him to concentrate and put the hard practice in because he kept going to the mirror and admiring his six pack 🤣
There is a documentary somewhere that discussed his drinking. Basically he's a shy introvert, but when he gets drunk he turns into "Super Gav", basically a crazy extrovert full of arrogance, obnoxious and his teammates loved it. The incident at bath was because his teammates heard about it and wanted to see it. Got him battered and that punch was the result.
I've tried to post a link to an article on it but it's not posting it, try typing "gavin henson super gav bath punch" into Google, it should be the top result, a walesonline article from a couple of years ago.
I played against Gavin several times through the International youth system. He was an incredible talent but sadly some choices he made hampered him reaching his full potential.
What i wouldnt give for a Henson now! Was absolute class on his day, made everything look effortless! Unfortunately for the neutral he was easy to dislike!
Great load of clips. I think people forget how much of an amazing talent and player he was. Shame he went down the showbiz route over rugby when he should've been at his peak
I worked with this guy for over a year in later stages of his career , really nice guy , hard work ethic similar to Sam Warburton , very mismanaged , lots of media pressure . Big challenges off the pitch but absolute legend and amazing player. Enjoyed working with him during our time in the English Premiership- better out of Wales than in Wales and what a Lion ❤💪💪💪💪 only have luv for Gav 👍
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast he is a lovely guy , good professional in the training environment to have as sets standards , off pitch stuff where he got pressed and caught out
Henson should have been one of the greats. Brilliant player that sadly didnt fully fulfil his potential. People saying he was overrated dont have a clue. This is from an Englishman too
I lived in Swansea during Henson's prime early years and he was awesome to watch live - like a racehorse among ponies. Before his injury issues kicked in, he had the physical talent to be the greatest Welsh rugby player ever imho. But it seems that his sporting talent combined with his Elvis Presley style pretty boy looks generated soul crushing amounts of attention (a bit like George Best) which anyone would have struggled to cope with, let alone someone as lacking in IQ as Henson. And yet despite his challenging and often idiotic behaviour (picking a fight with Carl Fearns being the most stupid of all Henson's faux pas imho) he still won two grand slams which is more than many other great rugby players have managed so that just shows how good he was when fully fit and with the correct management.
Yeah I agree with you my friend. Only seen him a few times live and his boot alone was a thing to behold. He made lots of mistakes but as you said, gave us so many great memories and I thank him for that
That Tait tackle! 🔥 where do you want the shop dummy? Unfortunately for Henson like so many of our sports stars the press whip up the frenzy surrounding them n they become too big for their (golden....sorry) boots! Alas Henson fell into this pot n we never got to see his true potential! Could have become so much more than he did! If you saw his name on the teamsheet you knew we had a chance!
Yeah totally agreed. It he always seamed to get himself into trouble as soon as drink was involved. There was even incidents that didn’t make it into the video too 😂
Reminds me of Tommy Byrne, the Irish F1 driver, hailed as a future world champion, which nobody has every heard of. Go look him up. He's a great half hour of YT videos.
I agree with his comment about Odriscel being dirty and banter on the pitch ! It always seem to be overlooked as it is with Farrel ! Given their talent should not be the deciding factor in action taken against foul play ! No doubt in my mind!
Yea that’s a fair point. The problem was there was no clear evidence so it was a big bomb to drop without being able to prove it you know. The book was a huge mistake either way I think 😂
I really enjoyed this video and would like to see more documentary style content pls. The red card against Llanelli is on TH-cam, the video is titled ‘Gavin Henson being a naughty boy’, incidentally 👍
I'd tolerate all of the dramas, sabbaticals and antics for 33 games of Gavin Henson in a red shirt, than 103 of that troglodyte Stephen Jones, Nick Tompkins, Jamie can't pass off his left Roberts, Leigh the golden retriever Halfpenny et al. "People from Llanelli are weird" as a quote is up there for truth and wisdom with some of Shakespeare's best.
@TheWelshSportsPodcast Don't get me wrong I'm full of admiration for Jones. That he can pass and remember to breathe at the same time is to his credit. Also, people from Llanelli aren't just weird. They are mutants so who said Gav doesn't have a diplomatic side?! Anyway, enjoyed this.
I genuinely think he had everything. Similar to Dan Carter except more physical presence and even longer range on his kicking. He had the talent to be the best 12 ever.
Thanks for putting this together. Undoubtedly a rare but misguided talent. But aren't so may of our sporting heroes treading the thin line between fame and notiriety? And isn't that part of what makes them exceptional and memorable? But alas, sport is a short lived profession and takes few prisoners. The descent is invariably more rapid than the ascent and leaves an individual out in the wilderness. Imagine the impact he could have had as a backs coach for Wales or the Lions. It would have been priceless and influenced a whole new generation of ball carriers.
Thank you mate 👍🏼 Yeah what a talent. As you said I think quite often the most talented of players sometimes can struggle to keep there head on the straight and narrow. He always benefited from a coach that built him up and it’s a shame Ruddock went when he did. Who knows what could have happened 🤷🏻♂️
Needed a Gats to keep him developing. Reminds me of Liam Williams in that way. Gigantic potential, unharnessed. Ignore all the media stuff, that's just the pointless attention that comes with being popular. Andy Powell drove down a motorway in a golf cart and it barely broke the news.
Yeah I think they did their best to keep that one on the down low 🏌️ Yeah take the media stuff away and you can’t doubt his talent. He was just a bit of a rouge character 😂
@TheWelshSportsPodcast Yep. He got up to all the same crazy stuff most rugby players do, but, much like the English rugby team, he was under a more intense spot light. Just such a shame someone couldn't really get him progressing over, say, 10 years. As per Gats did for North, Jon Davis, Liam et al. Felt the same about Zammit...... hah
Yeah this is true. I think he got injured a lot which is easy to forget with all the other shenanigans but that certainly coast him a few big tournaments over the years
What with the mix of him and Charlotte, they are obviously an interesting combination between them. Such a pity with so much talent and too much press adulation in their early development. Genius is very difficult to manage at any age. 2 such young talents together would have been impossible to develop to its best degree. Such a pity. I would dare to suggest that he could possibly do with some social care from a close friend who can genuinely show him the love that he needs, just like anyone. Obviously not an easy character to love, but he obviously needs some mature care. A poor lost soul who has so much internal conflict inside.
Yeah I think that’s a real interesting point. He speaks fondly of his parents and says how supportive they were ect so it’s kind of surprising he kept making strange life choices. I guess he did it his own way and that’s fair enough 🤷🏻♂️
Destroyed by media coverage as he was a Wales talisman that could lift any side. Much like they're doing with Reece Zamit. He's been removed from Welsh rugby that's all that matters but the media, will still keep picking on him..
Hi Christian, Gavin Henson a young player with too much on his plate and could not handle it, the pressure just got to him. but as a player he was good and that game, 2005 6N that kick in the Wales v England game as the late great Eddie Buttler said Shave away shave away Gavin. Gavin played some good games but the fame just got to him, all I can say what sort of player and person could he be, not the one we know. A talent lost , the only person he let down was him self and the thing is I liked him. Great video on Gavin Henson and I wish Gavin all the best. Catch you soon Take care
Hi Shaun. Yes a fantastic player but to much to soon for him maybe. Still though he did have some amazing performances for Wales and like you said i wish him the best. Hope you’re keeping well pal 👍🏼
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast You would be better than most of you only play when you are close to 100%, all the other players carry knocks and niggles through the season, so they are rarely close to 100% I think he was a wasted talent, he could, along with BOD formed a Lions centre pairing that would be talked about forever It’s one thing knowing you are better than your team mates, but it’s crass when you let them know it The one thing that binds rugby players together is humility and playing for each other, you are only as good as your team mates allow you to be, even if you are the star, they have to want to play for you
Yeah totally agree Gary. Like you said as players (even if it’s at the amateur standard) you’re very rarely 100% once it gets a few games into a season and to your point that’s when you see the guys with true grit It’s such a shame he didn’t really for fill his potential and it was mostly down to his attitude but when he was on song, what a player (probably a Welsh bias view)😂
The guy was badly managed from start to finish, moved from pillar to post thats why he got fed up and lost momentum, exactly the same thing happened to James hook 🤷🏼♂️
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastSpeaking as casual fan but someone who remembers the greats ( as a kid,hearing names ,Barrie John Gareth Edwards,Phil Bennet,Gerald Davies,J P R Williams,obviously way before ur time) But a couple of points.He obviously had unique skills& talent,but writing a book at 23 ( who the f##k,advised him!) And then talking a load of crap about everyone really is lacking decorum. .And he strikes me as that young fella who comes into the team,loads of talent,but just doesn't know ( And maybe couldn't have cared less?) How to behave! Like he made no effort to learn some names! And then doing all of that 'Reality TV ' nonsense,would have most def put his credibility in question! Now as for that Elbow,in his def,the other fella was getting ready to nail him with a straight Arm& the other one was most likely immaturity! And as u said,he was no Drinker,but would get caught up while out wth the 'Pro Drinkers' &then act silly& stupid& we saw how thar can end! But wasted talent,is always frustrating to witness! P.S..Being born in London with Irish Parents from Kerry,( but still not considered Irish enough for many local ' Micks' ) I agree with him on picking all of these foreign Players! ( especially through residency,I think it makes a mockery out international Sports!)
Totally agree with evdry word, I mean why did graham Henry take him from outside half, all the nz coaches really didn't get the best of him, I think the wru and some coaches could have nurtured him, yeah he can take responsibility for things but at the end of the day he's was badly managed, even Clive Woodward did the same to him, he was outplaying jonny Wilkinson at every turn, a lot of it was to do with big name players, he was already better than them, what a waste
Lions tour didn't mix with the rest of the squad before and during the tour. Honestly thought he was a certainty for the tests, At know time was he a test player, Believed in his own publicity.
Could have been one of the Welsh greats, but pissed it up the wall. What a waste of money, though, Iestyn Harris ! Shane Williams wasn’t picked for Lions in the first test against NZ, and he wasn’t picked for the mid-week team either. He was totally ignored by Woodward.
Yeah, Harris ended up being another drop of the ball by the WRU in hindsight and Williams was one of many Welsh players that I think got overlooked in that whole tour. I agree with Hensons comments and criticisms of Woodward to be honest😂
Anybody thinking this sounds a little like what Zammit is doing now? World cup and Lions Tour now gone to the NFL and keeps talking badly about rugby etc. Several high profile girlfriends. Minus the book basically.
100% mate. I’ve been comparing LRZ to Henson for a while. Clearly a person who wants to be more than just a rugby player he actually wants to be a celebrity. Each to their own I guess but it’s certainly a caution retail
Absolutely world class Could have been the best 10 12 13 15 But his mental state is a different matter Gav will be like Barry John bitter and twisted in old age kicking himself
he just had abs. That was it. Rugby players always get into fights and get spanked. Its quite funny. Im a rugby fan but they lose in the ring vs league players also lol. Too much drinking not enough peds
I watched him play Rugby League for South Wales, he is the worst player I’ve ever watched, I’ve never seen anyone hide on a rugby pitch before nor have I seen a semi pro jump out of the way of making a tackle.
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast he was very immature & needed guidance which he didn’t get from Henry. I feel he would have done much better had Gatland been on the scene at that time. What’s done is gone so no point regretting it, just remember some of his absolute class with ball in hand & kicking.
@TheWelshSportsPodcast there's a good reason why I don't own a TV anymore, or should I say subliminal messaging propaganda box 😁 not that TH-cam is any better but it was funny watching Gavin make a twat of himself 😂 only reason I watched it
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for me on raw tallent and skill, one of the all time greats, if at 12, up there with BOD for the best northern hemisphere center of his generation. sadly i have to cavieat this with its only on rugby skill and tallen, he and brian are poles apart as people, and that is why there is such divergence between their respective career paths
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast good rugby player bit ov a chocolate boy lol 🤣
Brilliant video. Thank you. Henson was one of my favourite players when I was a young player and really into rugby. He usually looked a class above his team mates. He was definitely good for the sport, and as i have got older i appreciate sport for its moments. He certainly gave us some of those.
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed. Yeah, I agree with you. I was always gutted that he didn’t fulfil his potential for Wales but as I’ve got older and now looking back making this video I really do appreciate the moments he gave us
As an Irishman, i'm still relieved hd didn't step up to kick that final penalty from halfway for Wales. He would have snapped it through ghe uprights where Jones after 80 mins was always likely to come up short. 🙏🏻 Henson was a phenomenal kicker, made it look easy.
Yeah me too 😂 Yeah to be fair he was a brilliant kicker when he was on song. Absolute cannon in his boot
Absolutely this! I'm a Scot but loved watching Henson turn up....he was a class player. Seems a bit unfair folk bring up lack of brains and leg shaving. Great talent. Thanks op.
He was just an easy target by the end I think. Glad to hear fans form other countries liked him though 👌🏼👌🏼
Still don't know to this day why he didn't take it? Don't forget earlier in that game when he let the ball bounce in front of him, Tommy Bowe caught it, left him for dead and scored under the posts
In all my years of rugby knowledge and watching rugby, plus being a fan of Welsh Rugby this is my first time hearing about this guy, plus i wondered why he's not talked about.
Keep making these videos man i really like them.
Cheers mate, very kind of you to say. A couple of other similar ones on the channel of you look at the mini documentary playlist 👍🏼
Great Video. Gavin Henson was an amazing talent . I think if he Gavin would of had a mentor from the beginning, it would be a different story.
Thank you very much, much appreciated.
Yeah wholeheartedly agree, I really think he just wanted a coach to constantly put their arm around him and reinforced to him how good he was. I think he had that under Lyn Jones and Ruddock and you can see what it did for him
Class film. From an Irish perspective he was an obvious world player talent, 'head & shoulders', so there is a question remaining which you cover well. Sheer talent gets you some way but certainly does not lead to success at all, you also need help, luck, security & even more effort/training. I'm one of those people who always rubbed my bosses up the wrong way, so I'm very sympathetic to GH. I think of Wales as home to flamboyant rugby talent & hope to see that return, may you produce another Henson.
Thank you my friend. Much appreciated 👍🏼🏴
Yeah I really hope we get another player like him popping up soon 🙏🏼
I remember as a welshman we used to call gav 'the sun' because he was big, orange & didn't shine enough! He was undoubtedly one of the most talented players of his generation but as this video perfectly covers never fulfilled his potential. Whether that was because of his own self destructive episodes or that he never found that perfect coach that made him feel wanted which i think is what he really needed. Great video WSP, you have yourself a new subscriber sir.
Ha ha I like that comparison 👏🏼
Yeah I think the coach thing is interesting tbh. He fell out with most of them so who knows what could have happened if he found the right guy.
Thanks for watching 👍🏼🏴
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastI think he was too good, ahead of his time... he had everything!
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastno offence however, to have Jenkins (great place kicker) and Jones (good allrounder) ahead of Henson is a joke - neither has anywhere near, not in the same stratosphere, the same level of talent! What a monumentally stupid thing to have done... from an Englishman... he had a real rugby brain and played heads up rugby, one of the best all round players ever to grace the game, I’m deadly serious!
@@dannyboywhaa3146 I totally agree with you but as this video points out gav was his own worst enemy most of the time. But a genuine talant that should have been the heart of the welsh team for many years.
@@montybrewster7 well yes, mercurial talents often need a bit more guidance... so many examples etc... shame, but it think both sides are at fault to a degree! I just remember what a beast he was in the tackle as well! Perfect, dream No. 10!
When Gav played for the Whites early on, I remember him practising kicking before a game, ball placed by corner flag and bending it through posts. Not once either. Outrageous talent, people forget he was world young player of the year, competition from southern hemisphere blitzed. A good coach needed for his career, a consistent position and incentives to keep him motivated.
Oh mate, I couldn’t agree more. Such an outrageous talent could literally do anything he wanted and it’s just a shame we didn’t get to see him 100 caps instead of the 30 odd
Christian boy! I absolutely LOVED this video. Hope to see more like it in the future!
Henson had it all, man. Speed, power, size, awareness, skill. The one thing he lacked was probably the most important thing and that’s commitment to his job. But that was his prerogative. He wanted to be more than just a rugby player. He wanted to be a celebrity and just the way it is unfortunately.
From things I’ve heard about people that know/have met him, he’s a very shy, humble and nice guy. Personally, I root for him. He basically single-handedly won us that England game which basically won us the 2005 grand slam and kick started a great period of Welsh rugby and I’ll always think of him in high regard.
I would love to see a similar video about James Hook. Another player that didn’t live up to potential. But his problem wasn’t himself, it was that Gatland seemed to hate him.
Smabo! Thanks mate. Yeah hoping to do some similar stuff mixed in with the usual talking head stuff. Got a few idea, James Hook though is a good shout, thanks mate 👍🏼
Yeah that’s similar to what heard while making this. Reminded me of the current LRZ situation. Wants to be a celebrity more than a rugby player. Lots log parallels 😬
Unfortunately it seamed like he was often his own worst enemy. I just wish people around him could have kept him on the straight and narrow but ya know. 2 grand slams. Can’t turn your nose up at that 🏆🏆
Before 2005 I used to train down merthyr mawr sand dunes and see him down there regularly he was a little shy and quite. He was committed to his training but agree he wanted higher celebrity status. The same as LRZ another wasted talent that would also have been a Great
Some good insight there mate thanks. He would have to be committed to be able to play at that high level. It’s just unfortunate that with more success came more things to take his attention. He’s only human after all I guess
Loved watching Gavin play, what a talent, but it was clear he was carrying a fair amount of baggage somewhere which, ultimately, held him back from reaching his full potential. Great docu. Fairly done.
Thank you, much appreciated. Yeah, I think he simply wanted to be more than a rugby player (similar to LRZ now) but maybe just didn’t know exactly how to apply himself to get what he wanted
That was a good reflection on Gav's career, the last Irish game, he was "wolf whistled every time he touched the ball, he was very sombre on the plane coming home, I was sat next to him and Charlotte (across the aisle).
Really that’s a interesting insight and I guess is a way you actually see more of a human side of someone not just a rugby player
Lots of details I never knew ...seems well researched ...Well presented ...
Thanks Jonathan. Much appreciated 🙏🏼
Excellent video ..lots of clips ..Good one ... All the best Welsh in Costa Rica
Thanks Jono 👍🏼
Hope you liked the change up in content 🤞🏼
The best explanation that I have heard for Henson’s behaviour - and it fits with how he is in interviews - is that he was basically very shy. That’s also what I have heard Charlotte Church say about him.
Thanks mate. I’ve been working on this vid a while so I really got to know the guy 😂 It’s a strange combo of wanting attention and being shy of it all at the same time 🤷🏻♂️
I can't remember where I read or saw it now but he was also described as a 'shy extrovert' maybe a contradiction in terms , but it sort of makes sense, wanting to look good for the fans , the hair and grooming etc which wasn't typical for rugby players- in front of 80,000 fans at the Millenium Stadium he was able to kick pressure penalties from the touchline with the crowd going mad. Maybe he was less comfortable one on one with people in a normal environment (unless he'd had a drink!)
Yeah spot on. I think you’ve nailed it there and I think he got to comfortable once I had a drink and that was the issue 😂
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast I haven't watched the whole video yet so you might cover this but there was a story from Martyn Williams I think it was who said before an International the players were asking Gav why he was spending so long in the mirror on his hair, he said something like 'Your Mum and Dad have come to see you 80,000 have come to see me!' 😁
😂😂😂
I hope that a true story because it’s a cracking line to be fair 😂👏🏼
I forgot how good Henson was. Good video. Something we do not hear too often these days in the men's game: 07:38
Ha ha yeah fair shout 😂
Thanks for watching in commenting 👍🏼🏴
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Although we can all lament the waste of a huge talent I am grateful for his massive contribution to the 2005 slam and further international outings. His running looked effortless, and such vision and timing. If I saw him in public I would thank him for what he brought in 2005 and buy him a pint, though maybe that is not such a good idea!
Cheers Mike much appreciated. Your point exactly he had hands in into six nations Grand Slams and for all his floors, he was certainly a quality player
Henson was one of the most naturally talented rugby players in world rugby at his best...he looked like he had do much time on the ball even st international level which is an indication of just how good he was.. sometimes personal lives clash with the very best players .. Eric cantona was a loose cannon genious on the pitch and it wasn't untill Ferguson man management skills brought the very best and consistency from Eric.. some players just need to be treated and managed differently especially when those players are naturally gifted.. I feel Henson was one of those players and I loved watching him play for Wales.. strong athletic in attack and could smash in defence with superb vision exceptional handling skills and a great boot... the total 15 man rugby wales played in hensons grand slam was brilliant to watch.. also that elbow in the face which knocked him out in the bar was a sly cheap shot .. also that elbow Henson threw against that Leicester player if you look closely the Leicester player was coming in to Henson with a swinging arm of his own which Henson saw and Henson beat him to it .. not condoning it but you have to look after yourself on the pitch and that Leicester player was definitely coming in to twat Henson but got floored instead
Yes, you’re right about Alex Marino, he looked like he was coming to clear them out of the ball but I don’t think it was as dirty as what Henson did
Overall agree with everything you said, he was always quality when he was on his game and he really did help make Wales a better team when he was involved. I really do wish we could’ve seen him play a 100 times for Wales but what we did get to see was great🏴
Gavin Henson had everything. Literally. He should have been the best 12, ever.
Yeah I completely agree 🙌🏼
Ma'a Nonu might have had something to say about that, but he was a talent
@@joedennehy386 Nonu was a very good 12, but Henson had the complete game. He could run, kick, tackle, and pass. He literally had everything!
100% agree! Just badly managed and exploited for others to get rich from him.
Everything except a good attitude.
I think the significance of the 2009 injury just before Lions selection was downplayed/overlooked in this video and played a huge factor in his decision to take the sabbatical.
Fair comment. It’s not something that came up when researching the video tbh so that one is on me 🤷🏻♂️
Love the content dude. I was in my teens when Henson started coming tho to prominence, His game against England where he was the best player on the pitch was amazing. It's unfortunate that he couldn't live up to his potential. Would have been one amazing player if he did. I'm happy I got to watch his talent play for Wales tho , his fame / infamy definitely help bring though a generation of talented youngsters.
Yeah we’re probably I similar age. On his day he was quality. He could just never hold it all together. But what a player to whiteness in full flow. Like you said he no doubt inspired a few young kids to take up rugby which is great
Great vid. Its interesting you touched on the social awkwardness side of things as I listened to a BBC Podcast a few years ago where Tom Shanklin and Matt Dawson were talking about him. Dawson thought he was vastly overrated as he's communication was really poor during training sessions on the 05 Lions Tour (He alluded to Henson not saying other players names during calls and when challenged saying it was because he didnt know what to call them) Shanklin said that was just his personality and he was a massive introvert even though his playing style and appearance gave the impression he wasnt.
Thank you mate. Yeah that’s basically the vibe I got from everything I read and researched for this video. There’s an interesting Jackel and Hyde type thing going on😂
Charlotte church was fuckin nuts ....Should have avoided her 😮
😂😂😂
thoroughly enjoyed your video! good work brought back lots of memories!!!!!!
Thank you mate. Much appreciated 🙏🏼
Great doco. Really impressed, I loved it.
Thank you mate. Very kind of you to say 👍🏼🏴
Love this, I was 14 when he slotted 'That Kick' so similar age to you and i reacted similarly. Nostalgia watching this, great stuff 👍
Yeah, it was a real introduction to Welsh rugby fandom and I rather naïvely thought that that’s how things just happened for Wales. How wrong I was.
For all round ability he's up there with the best. This vid made me wonder if Mike Ruddock had stayed on he might have had the consistency he did under Gatland. It's just too welsh to look for the negatives in his career, 2 Grand Slams, MAGNIFICO!
Yeah that’s a great point actually. In his book he spoke about how much he got on with Ruddock so you could be on to something there. Who knows but what a player when he was on song 🏴
Loves what he sees when looking into any reflective surface. Probably rates himself an 11/10.
Almost certainly 😂
Advance payments for book deals can be pretty high ... so Gav probably saw the numbers and thought "why not!"
But as you said, he clearly didn't consider the heat it would bring.
Yeah and probably got egged on my his manager and others trying to make a quick buck 💷
Sort of unrelated but I was doing security at ITV on the Southbank in London, back in 2008 or so. Gavin and Charlotte came into reception carrying their kid. It was crowded and they were getting stared at a bit so they sort of drifted over to where I was standing beside the turnstiles. I could hear them chatting quietly, fussing over their kid, which must have been their daughter Ruby. It was a nice few minutes because I felt like they didn't want to be disturbed and standing beside me gave them a bit of space. I was tempted to chirp about him smashing Tait but I kept my peace and stood quietly by. A little while later I was trotting across our underground carpark and they were there loading their stuff into their car. Charlotte gave me the loveliest smile as I went past, just kind of acknowledging me as the guy from upstairs I guess, but it made my day. Also, for Welsh fans, Gareth Thomas popped into ITV a fair bit back then. He was in one day with his mate, who looked like a front rower, and the two of them had bags or backpacks they needed to stow. The girls at reception weren't allowed to store stuff but we had a broom closet behind the turnstiles and I told Gareth I could put their bags in there. Predictably enough they were both great guys, friendly and down to earth. And lastly, talking sport, Freddie Flintoff came in one day, also around 2008, with this beautiful but rather sullen and headstrong looking woman who must have been his wife. I don't know if he was having a bad day but he walked around reception like an absolute dickhead, sneering down at everyone there. It wasn't like he was being bothered, the people in there were just minding their own business, but he left the room in no doubt he didn't think much of any of us.
Ah thank you mate. Really nice insight and it’s actually good to know that these guys are actually humble and friendly away from the limelight. I always felt that him and Charlotte probably copped more unnecessary rubbish than they deserved. Hopefully they both found some happiness and calm now there careers are sort of over.
Interesting about Freddie. Maybe he was just a bit more of a big wig than a humble working class rugby players🤷🏻♂️ thanks again for sharing mate. Cool stories👍🏼
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Cheers mate, yeah, by all accounts Freddie isn't a bad bloke but he certainly didn't come across well that day.
Maybe he was just having a rough day. I guess you can’t be on and happy all the time. Thanks for the cool insight though.👍🏼
RE the Bath incident with Carl Fearns - i might be misquoting but I remember David Flatman talking on his podcast about it (he'd recently retired and i think was still working at the club in some form) and apparently after the fight the management gathered all the players and said "if you lot want him out then he's gone" and the squad unanimously said they loved him and wanted him to stay.
I think they'd heard about Gav turning into a monster when drunk and plied him with booze to see what would happen and we all saw the result...
It does all point to an interesting character, not black and white and certainly not all bad. Just a complicated guy in an era before rugby clubs knew how to handle complicated or difficult people (other than knocking them out or sacking them anyway)
Yeah, agreed with your summation. As you said is the somewhat paradoxical character who wanted attention but also was very shy. Good to hear that the bath guy is actually wanted to keep him around though and in fairness while I researching this, I didn’t find any of his teammates that really slated him at all🤷🏻♂️
I was at Stradey when he slammed Garan Evans into the hoardings. It was so callously dirty, the stadium was in absolute uproar! I don’t think I forgave him for that. I am glad he came into Welsh rugby though, he was a star. I just wish he could have been more focused on his playing and possibly a bit more grateful for every game. I’m older now, as he is, and I will say to him, if I meet him, ‘Thank you Gav, you were brilliant pal’.
Great comment Jim 👌🏼As most of us he’s made mistakes but a lot of the players seemed to actually really like him which says a lot and I think if I seen him in person I’d do the same thing too 👍🏼
A mercurial talent when he wanted to be. He literally had everything, strength, pace, technical ability and great decision making. A mix of ego and injury curbed his potential and career ultimately.
Yeah, hundred percent. Also, I think alcohol played a big part in railing him. By all accounts an absolutely lovely guy, but when he’s had a drink in him, there’s definitely an edge😂
I think people forget what a good player he actually was. Unfortunate all the off field/celebrity nonsense detracted from his on field career. He was absolutely quality and should’ve ended his career as a test centurion for Wales.
From everything I’ve ready and heard it was the booze that always did for him. Turned into a different guy
Awesome video.
It was exciting when henson played.
I remember that kick against england and that year was amazing.
Its a shame his off the field antics and lack of discipline at times got in the way.
Thank you mate. Much appreciated 👍🏼
Yeah it’s so gutting. If only the guy had the disabling of someone like Halfpenny and he would have 100 caps
Enjoyed this thank you.
Thank you for watching my friend 👍🏼🏴
I think he needed guidance in his private life and attitude to fulfil his potential. If he received this, he should have listened. It’s a shame, as his potential was massive, when he played well he was just untouchable 🙏
Yeah agreed. I think people might have treated him as a golden goose trying to hang on to his coat tails and lead him astray 🤷🏻♂️
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast true, I actually didn’t think of that side to be fair. I bet he was tempted left right and centre, the hangers on and the fame seekers - it’s an easy trap to fall in as a young man 👍 great episode, some of those tackles are still audible today 🤣👍👍👍
😂 yeah to right. Both of the Tate ones are just silly aren’t they 😂
Crazy as it sounds I think his issues were summed up perfectly when he was on that Come Dancing show. His professional partner was struggling to get him to concentrate and put the hard practice in because he kept going to the mirror and admiring his six pack 🤣
That’s such a funny story, but I can certainly imagine that. I mean those abs aren’t going to check out themselves are they?😂😂
There is a documentary somewhere that discussed his drinking. Basically he's a shy introvert, but when he gets drunk he turns into "Super Gav", basically a crazy extrovert full of arrogance, obnoxious and his teammates loved it. The incident at bath was because his teammates heard about it and wanted to see it. Got him battered and that punch was the result.
Is that right? That mental. I guess that what rugby culture is like. Would love to see that doc. Sounds interesting
I've tried to post a link to an article on it but it's not posting it, try typing "gavin henson super gav bath punch" into Google, it should be the top result, a walesonline article from a couple of years ago.
Top man. Thank you. I’ll check that out
I played against Gavin several times through the International youth system. He was an incredible talent but sadly some choices he made hampered him reaching his full potential.
That’s awesome. Did you get a chance to speak to him at all?
Yeah, unfortunately off the field was always his biggest issue
What i wouldnt give for a Henson now! Was absolute class on his day, made everything look effortless! Unfortunately for the neutral he was easy to dislike!
Yeah I think he brought most of it on himself unfortunately but when he was just playing rugby and nothing else he was up there with the best 🏴
Great load of clips. I think people forget how much of an amazing talent and player he was. Shame he went down the showbiz route over rugby when he should've been at his peak
Yeah exactly. Such a great player. Loved watching him. Wish he stuck at it properly
I worked with this guy for over a year in later stages of his career , really nice guy , hard work ethic similar to Sam Warburton , very mismanaged , lots of media pressure . Big challenges off the pitch but absolute legend and amazing player. Enjoyed working with him during our time in the English Premiership- better out of Wales than in Wales and what a Lion ❤💪💪💪💪 only have luv for Gav 👍
Thanks for the insight mate. Really interesting to hear. From my research I thought he was slightly miss understood.
One of my favourite players
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast he is a lovely guy , good professional in the training environment to have as sets standards , off pitch stuff where he got pressed and caught out
Some of his best club rugby was at London Welsh and Bristol when he was outside the goldfish bowl of Wales.
@@Gary-n 💯 agree
Henson should have been one of the greats. Brilliant player that sadly didnt fully fulfil his potential. People saying he was overrated dont have a clue. This is from an Englishman too
Yeah great point. I don’t get the people who say that. Yeah he was up and down but the ups were right up there
Brilliant 33 minutes!!!
Thank you, my friend, very kind of you to see. Thanks for watching. Much appreciated🙏🏼
I lived in Swansea during Henson's prime early years and he was awesome to watch live - like a racehorse among ponies. Before his injury issues kicked in, he had the physical talent to be the greatest Welsh rugby player ever imho. But it seems that his sporting talent combined with his Elvis Presley style pretty boy looks generated soul crushing amounts of attention (a bit like George Best) which anyone would have struggled to cope with, let alone someone as lacking in IQ as Henson. And yet despite his challenging and often idiotic behaviour (picking a fight with Carl Fearns being the most stupid of all Henson's faux pas imho) he still won two grand slams which is more than many other great rugby players have managed so that just shows how good he was when fully fit and with the correct management.
Yeah I agree with you my friend. Only seen him a few times live and his boot alone was a thing to behold. He made lots of mistakes but as you said, gave us so many great memories and I thank him for that
Great show. What a shame about the ups and downs. Thank you 👍
Cheers for watch Aid 👍🏼🏴
That Tait tackle! 🔥 where do you want the shop dummy? Unfortunately for Henson like so many of our sports stars the press whip up the frenzy surrounding them n they become too big for their (golden....sorry) boots! Alas Henson fell into this pot n we never got to see his true potential! Could have become so much more than he did! If you saw his name on the teamsheet you knew we had a chance!
Yeah very true mate. He also played into it aswel. Don’t think he could help himself in some ways 🤷🏻♂️
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast young lad with all the press hyping him up I think it'd be difficult for anyone not to.
Yeah exactly. It all came at him in one go too so it must have been a mental time for him
Might have only been for a short time but no doubt Henson was world class 🏴
Yeah to right mate 🏴
He was good. World class is a complete exaggeration
That first walk out showed how much of a Beat he was
Great vid. He had a drink problem. His problem wasn’t drinking too much it was that he couldn’t take his drink
Yeah totally agreed. It he always seamed to get himself into trouble as soon as drink was involved. There was even incidents that didn’t make it into the video too 😂
Reminds me of Tommy Byrne, the Irish F1 driver, hailed as a future world champion, which nobody has every heard of. Go look him up. He's a great half hour of YT videos.
You’re right, I’ve never heard of him, but thanks for that tip. I’ll check him out 👍🏼
I agree with his comment about Odriscel being dirty and banter on the pitch ! It always seem to be overlooked as it is with Farrel ! Given their talent should not be the deciding factor in action taken against foul play ! No doubt in my mind!
Yea that’s a fair point. The problem was there was no clear evidence so it was a big bomb to drop without being able to prove it you know. The book was a huge mistake either way I think 😂
He was absolutely world class.
On his day he certainly was my friend 🏴
O'Driscoll was world class. Hensons ego outstripped his talent and made his name by tackling an 18 yr old kid 🤷. Sorry to burst your bubble 👍
He was good. World class is a complete exaggeration
@@me-us1lw I'm on about Henson.
@@oliprj8676 I replied to the wrong thread. I was quoting Graham Thorpe's stats on the wrong thread 🤦🤦🤣🤣
Saw him play for the Dragons against the Blues in 2017 I think it was, easily the best Dragons player at the match.
Still had his skills at that point, he’d just lost some of the athleticism. I really wish it had worked out the time he came to Cardiff tbh 😬
When playing club rugby he always looked a level above his team mates.
As long as his head was on it he always looked a cut above the rest didn’t he
The dragons are crap though and always have been so that's not saying much
I really enjoyed this video and would like to see more documentary style content pls. The red card against Llanelli is on TH-cam, the video is titled ‘Gavin Henson being a naughty boy’, incidentally 👍
Thanks mate. Yeah was fun researching it all just took a while to get together. Yeah I found it thanks. That hair is just crazy 😂
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast aye, outrageous do. The lad would’ve never managed to whip Charlotte Church in If he’d have kept that Barnet 🤔🤪
😂 no way mate. Maybe he should have kept it and stayed away from the girls 😂
I'd tolerate all of the dramas, sabbaticals and antics for 33 games of Gavin Henson in a red shirt, than 103 of that troglodyte Stephen Jones, Nick Tompkins, Jamie can't pass off his left Roberts, Leigh the golden retriever Halfpenny et al.
"People from Llanelli are weird" as a quote is up there for truth and wisdom with some of Shakespeare's best.
😂😂😂 creased reading this 👏🏼
“That troglodyte Stephen Jones” really tickled me 😂
@TheWelshSportsPodcast Don't get me wrong I'm full of admiration for Jones. That he can pass and remember to breathe at the same time is to his credit.
Also, people from Llanelli aren't just weird. They are mutants so who said Gav doesn't have a diplomatic side?!
Anyway, enjoyed this.
😂 he certainly mastered that skill 😂
Thank you appreciate it 👍🏼🏴
I genuinely think he had everything. Similar to Dan Carter except more physical presence and even longer range on his kicking. He had the talent to be the best 12 ever.
Yeah, I completely agree with you he just never consistently stuck with it and put it all together. Such a shame
A well balanced appraisal.
Much appreciated 👍🏼
Gr8 doc.
You dont need to say quote - end quote. We arent american, we can infer the end of the quote from context.
Some people listen on audio only and I think it just adds clarity. Plus I listen to a lot of Dan Carlin😂
Thanks for putting this together. Undoubtedly a rare but misguided talent. But aren't so may of our sporting heroes treading the thin line between fame and notiriety? And isn't that part of what makes them exceptional and memorable? But alas, sport is a short lived profession and takes few prisoners. The descent is invariably more rapid than the ascent and leaves an individual out in the wilderness. Imagine the impact he could have had as a backs coach for Wales or the Lions. It would have been priceless and influenced a whole new generation of ball carriers.
Thank you mate 👍🏼
Yeah what a talent. As you said I think quite often the most talented of players sometimes can struggle to keep there head on the straight and narrow. He always benefited from a coach that built him up and it’s a shame Ruddock went when he did. Who knows what could have happened 🤷🏻♂️
Needed a Gats to keep him developing. Reminds me of Liam Williams in that way. Gigantic potential, unharnessed. Ignore all the media stuff, that's just the pointless attention that comes with being popular. Andy Powell drove down a motorway in a golf cart and it barely broke the news.
Yeah I think they did their best to keep that one on the down low 🏌️
Yeah take the media stuff away and you can’t doubt his talent. He was just a bit of a rouge character 😂
@TheWelshSportsPodcast Yep. He got up to all the same crazy stuff most rugby players do, but, much like the English rugby team, he was under a more intense spot light. Just such a shame someone couldn't really get him progressing over, say, 10 years. As per Gats did for North, Jon Davis, Liam et al. Felt the same about Zammit...... hah
Yeah this is true. I think he got injured a lot which is easy to forget with all the other shenanigans but that certainly coast him a few big tournaments over the years
What with the mix of him and Charlotte, they are obviously an interesting combination between them. Such a pity with so much talent and too much press adulation in their early development.
Genius is very difficult to manage at any age. 2 such young talents together would have been impossible to develop to its best degree.
Such a pity.
I would dare to suggest that he could possibly do with some social care from a close friend who can genuinely show him the love that he needs, just like anyone.
Obviously not an easy character to love, but he obviously needs some mature care.
A poor lost soul who has so much internal conflict inside.
Yeah I think that’s a real interesting point. He speaks fondly of his parents and says how supportive they were ect so it’s kind of surprising he kept making strange life choices. I guess he did it his own way and that’s fair enough 🤷🏻♂️
Destroyed by media coverage as he was a Wales talisman that could lift any side. Much like they're doing with Reece Zamit. He's been removed from Welsh rugby that's all that matters but the media, will still keep picking on him..
I do a agree to an extent but the same as LRZ I think they wanted to be more that just rugby players and with that comes it’s own issues
Could have been one of the greatest ever
2 Grand Slams, not bad for an ‘under achiever’!
Yeah spot on. Fair play he was quality when he was in song 🏴
Possibly the greatest talent to never play a worldcup 😢😢
Very true 🥹
Seemed to bugger things up off field and was often out with injury’s.
Yeah was very unlucky with injuries and he couldn’t seam to get out of his own way
Hi Christian, Gavin Henson a young player with too much on his plate and could not handle it, the pressure just got to him. but as a player he was good and that game, 2005 6N that kick in the Wales v England game as the late great Eddie Buttler said Shave away shave away Gavin. Gavin played some good games but the fame just got to him, all I can say what sort of player and person could he be, not the one we know. A talent lost , the only person he let down was him self and the thing is I liked him.
Great video on Gavin Henson and I wish Gavin all the best. Catch you soon Take care
Hi Shaun. Yes a fantastic player but to much to soon for him maybe. Still though he did have some amazing performances for Wales and like you said i wish him the best. Hope you’re keeping well pal 👍🏼
The Welsh Cipriani
The old sun lamp melted his brain did not need the suntan
Though he was god turned out to be dog
Lack of humility is a hard master
He looked good though 😂
talanted player , but didn't have the application, common sense or the will power, i hope he fulfills his life
Yeah I second that👍🏼
Rumour has it, that he would only play when he felt close to 100%, and that built up resentment amongst his teammates, as he could not be relied upon.
Yeah that’s could be right. I also got the feeling that he felt that he was better than other players and was not shy in sharing that opinion 😂
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast You would be better than most of you only play when you are close to 100%, all the other players carry knocks and niggles through the season, so they are rarely close to 100%
I think he was a wasted talent, he could, along with BOD formed a Lions centre pairing that would be talked about forever
It’s one thing knowing you are better than your team mates, but it’s crass when you let them know it
The one thing that binds rugby players together is humility and playing for each other, you are only as good as your team mates allow you to be, even if you are the star, they have to want to play for you
Yeah totally agree Gary. Like you said as players (even if it’s at the amateur standard) you’re very rarely 100% once it gets a few games into a season and to your point that’s when you see the guys with true grit
It’s such a shame he didn’t really for fill his potential and it was mostly down to his attitude but when he was on song, what a player (probably a Welsh bias view)😂
seeing this just after he was playing for pencoed
I heard he won the game for them?
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast ye last minute penalty i heard
Some things never change 👌🏼😂
The guy was badly managed from start to finish, moved from pillar to post thats why he got fed up and lost momentum, exactly the same thing happened to James hook 🤷🏼♂️
Yeah good point. Someone else mentioned James hook too funny enough. Defo see the parallels
Me and my mate said it years ago, we wanted to see Hook at 10 and Henson at 12
Hook really got messed around didn’t he. Never played him in a consistent spot. He was a brilliant 10
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastSpeaking as casual fan but someone who remembers the greats ( as a kid,hearing names ,Barrie John Gareth Edwards,Phil Bennet,Gerald Davies,J P R Williams,obviously way before ur time)
But a couple of points.He obviously had unique skills& talent,but writing a book at 23 ( who the f##k,advised him!) And then talking a load of crap about everyone really is lacking decorum.
.And he strikes me as that young fella who comes into the team,loads of talent,but just doesn't know ( And maybe couldn't have cared less?) How to behave! Like he made no effort to learn some names!
And then doing all of that 'Reality TV ' nonsense,would have most def put his credibility in question!
Now as for that Elbow,in his def,the other fella was getting ready to nail him with a straight Arm& the other one was most likely immaturity!
And as u said,he was no Drinker,but would get caught up while out wth the 'Pro Drinkers' &then act silly& stupid& we saw how thar can end!
But wasted talent,is always frustrating to witness!
P.S..Being born in London with Irish Parents from Kerry,( but still not considered Irish enough for many local ' Micks' ) I agree with him on picking all of these foreign Players! ( especially through residency,I think it makes a mockery out international Sports!)
Totally agree with evdry word, I mean why did graham Henry take him from outside half, all the nz coaches really didn't get the best of him, I think the wru and some coaches could have nurtured him, yeah he can take responsibility for things but at the end of the day he's was badly managed, even Clive Woodward did the same to him, he was outplaying jonny Wilkinson at every turn, a lot of it was to do with big name players, he was already better than them, what a waste
Lions tour didn't mix with the rest of the squad before and during the tour. Honestly thought he was a certainty for the tests, At know time was he a test player, Believed in his own publicity.
He certainly should’ve been the test 12 for that first game. I think Woodward deserves all the criticism he gets for that shambles.
Wales could do with a character like Gavin nowadays
Great video - with the incident on the plane, Gavin got drunk and was throwing ice cubes around the cabin (allegedly).
Right didn’t realise it was ice cubes. Thanks for clearing that up (good knowledge)
Appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching 👍🏼🏴
Played in England ❤❤
Please do a Shane williams video
I think I might at some point. Got a few things lined up first but it’s on the go do list👍🏼
Cracking punch by Fearns
Short and sharp was all it needed 😂
clive Woodward was a fucking disaster as a lions coach. He would have picked a aqaud of emglish players if he could.
Yeah, and he’s a clown of a bloke. The worst rugby pundit on TV, it’s amazing how he managed to win a World Cup to be honest
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast he won it in the most boring way possible. Johnny Wilkinson and drop goals.
Could have been one of the Welsh greats, but pissed it up the wall. What a waste of money, though, Iestyn Harris ! Shane Williams wasn’t picked for Lions in the first test against NZ, and he wasn’t picked for the mid-week team either. He was totally ignored by Woodward.
Yeah,
Harris ended up being another drop of the ball by the WRU in hindsight and Williams was one of many Welsh players that I think got overlooked in that whole tour. I agree with Hensons comments and criticisms of Woodward to be honest😂
I was at that derby match. It was hilarious. Dean Thomas got a second yellow but the ref had forgotten. He was reminded by the crowd…
😂
Prince
Agreed mate 👌🏼🏴
Anybody thinking this sounds a little like what Zammit is doing now? World cup and Lions Tour now gone to the NFL and keeps talking badly about rugby etc. Several high profile girlfriends. Minus the book basically.
100% mate. I’ve been comparing LRZ to Henson for a while. Clearly a person who wants to be more than just a rugby player he actually wants to be a celebrity. Each to their own I guess but it’s certainly a caution retail
These people normally end up on love irland he was a nob
A proper tidy player!
Quality on his day 👌🏼
Absolutely world class
Could have been the best
10
12
13
15
But his mental state is a different matter
Gav will be like Barry John bitter and twisted in old age kicking himself
Probably mate. Mental he’s still play in the odd game for his local team 😂
To be honest he earnt his crust at Bristol!! PS must of broke my skull as a young un! cant grow hair on my head🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think he had sorted himself out by that point. Shame it took him so long 😂
Carl Fearns went further up in my estimation
😂😂😂
he just had abs. That was it. Rugby players always get into fights and get spanked. Its quite funny. Im a rugby fan but they lose in the ring vs league players also lol. Too much drinking not enough peds
Yeah league players are a different gravy 😂
He was more than just abs though to be fair. He had some real quality
He was ok . 👍
Just ok?
Amazing and loved watching him play, but in the end wasted talent, spiralled out of control.
Amazing player. Just couldn’t handle his beer could he 😂
I watched him play Rugby League for South Wales, he is the worst player I’ve ever watched, I’ve never seen anyone hide on a rugby pitch before nor have I seen a semi pro jump out of the way of making a tackle.
Not really sure why he tried league. Was that at the end of his career?
The worst player in rugby league? I'd agree. He's a union player. It's the same...but different.
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast yes, he was pathetic.
Yeah that stint at league is a strange one to understand.
Unless there was a fair bit of cash thrown his way 😬🤷🏻♂️
The whole Raiders experience was awful. No surprise the club soon collapsed.
Best centre in the world? Tana Umanga says no. He came to New Zealand with the lions and was found out
One of the best on his day though no doubt ?
Somebody, anybody save Welsh rugby.
😂😂
We’re desperate right now 🙏🏼
Wonderful player but Graham Henry undermined him at a crucial stage in his career
Yeah agreed. I feel if he had a better attitude though he might have stuck it out and won a spot much earlier than he did
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast he was very immature & needed guidance which he didn’t get from Henry. I feel he would have done much better had Gatland been on the scene at that time. What’s done is gone so no point regretting it, just remember some of his absolute class with ball in hand & kicking.
Yeah agreed about Gatland. Or even if Ruddock stayed longer he might have kept him in check but who knows. What a player on his day though
I remember him on the channel 4 bachelor dating show. I thought he made an ass of himself, lol
Yeah, I’ll be honest, I couldn’t watch that I saw some of the clips and that was more than enough for me😂😂
@TheWelshSportsPodcast there's a good reason why I don't own a TV anymore, or should I say subliminal messaging propaganda box 😁 not that TH-cam is any better but it was funny watching Gavin make a twat of himself 😂 only reason I watched it
As long as you watch TH-cam I’m happy my friend 👀😆😂
best player of his generation - and badly managed. What happened to him was what Barry John ran away from
He was definitely up there, no doubt
Badly managed? Everything he did was through his own choices?
If he was English these videos just wouldn't exist, we like to romanticise Henson to much here. He was mid
Due to their bigger player base you’re probably right. He would just get lost amount the weeds but I can’t agree that his skill sets are mid 😬
A video like this on Mathew Tait would be interesting, especially as he was part of that underdog 2007 England team.
Jester. Next ...
Fair enough 😂