MANCHESTER, England, June 1 (Reuters) - Wales coach Warren Gatland named troubled centre Gavin Henson on Wednesday in his team to face the Barbarians in a capped international this weekend.
Henson's recall more than two years after he last featured for Wales has divided commentators with some saying he had not done enough to merit a return after an 18-month absence from the game and others saying he deserved a chance.
"It's an opportunity for players like Gavin to do his talking on the rugby pitch," Gatland said in a statement before Saturday's match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
"We need depth and hopefully Gavin does well and he puts some pressure on the established guys.
"He tells us it's fantastic to be back in this environment, that he has really missed it and is loving his rugby at the moment and that's a real positive for us, he knows he just needs to let his rugby do the talking now." A key member of Wales' Six Nations grand slam winning teams in 2005 and 2008, Henson then took time out of the game due to injury and off-field distractions such as a television reality dancing show.
He was released from his contract with Saracens in February after just two months with the London club and then joined French club Toulon on a short-term deal.
Henson was suspended by Toulon in April with unconfirmed reports saying he had fought with a team mate following a match and last month was told be would not be offered a new contract.
Henson, 29, last played an international in March 2009 and is hoping to prove himself in time to make a first World Cup appearance in September even though he is still without a club.
Gatland's starting team, under the captaincy of Sam Warburton, also includes flyhalf Stephen Jones who will collect his 100th cap to join Gareth Thomas as the country's most capped player.
Saturday's match is a full cap international, a rarity against the Barbarians. The match will mark 130 years of the Welsh Rugby Union.
"You only have to look at the quality and the experience in the Barbarians squad to know that we are looking at a huge challenge this weekend," Gatland said.
"It's a psychological challenge that we need to be prepared for, there is a lot at stake for all of us and for the players in particular in terms of us assessing their character and them booking their places on that plane for the Rugby World Cup.
Wales: 15-Morgan Stoddart, 14-George North, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Gavin Henson, 11-Aled Brew, 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Mike Phillips, 8-Toby Faletau, 7-Sam Warburton (captain), 6-Dan Lydiate, 5-Luke Charteris, 4-Ryan Jones, 3-Paul James, 2-Huw Bennett, 1-Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16-Lloyd Burns, 17-Scott Andrews, 18-Alun Wyn Jones, 19-Josh Turnbull, 20-Tavis Knoyle, 21-Rhys Priestland, 22-Scott Williams.
Henson's recall more than two years after he last featured for Wales has divided commentators with some saying he had not done enough to merit a return after an 18-month absence from the game and others saying he deserved a chance.
"It's an opportunity for players like Gavin to do his talking on the rugby pitch," Gatland said in a statement before Saturday's match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
"We need depth and hopefully Gavin does well and he puts some pressure on the established guys.
"He tells us it's fantastic to be back in this environment, that he has really missed it and is loving his rugby at the moment and that's a real positive for us, he knows he just needs to let his rugby do the talking now." A key member of Wales' Six Nations grand slam winning teams in 2005 and 2008, Henson then took time out of the game due to injury and off-field distractions such as a television reality dancing show.
He was released from his contract with Saracens in February after just two months with the London club and then joined French club Toulon on a short-term deal.
Henson was suspended by Toulon in April with unconfirmed reports saying he had fought with a team mate following a match and last month was told be would not be offered a new contract.
Henson, 29, last played an international in March 2009 and is hoping to prove himself in time to make a first World Cup appearance in September even though he is still without a club.
Gatland's starting team, under the captaincy of Sam Warburton, also includes flyhalf Stephen Jones who will collect his 100th cap to join Gareth Thomas as the country's most capped player.
Saturday's match is a full cap international, a rarity against the Barbarians. The match will mark 130 years of the Welsh Rugby Union.
"You only have to look at the quality and the experience in the Barbarians squad to know that we are looking at a huge challenge this weekend," Gatland said.
"It's a psychological challenge that we need to be prepared for, there is a lot at stake for all of us and for the players in particular in terms of us assessing their character and them booking their places on that plane for the Rugby World Cup.
Wales: 15-Morgan Stoddart, 14-George North, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Gavin Henson, 11-Aled Brew, 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Mike Phillips, 8-Toby Faletau, 7-Sam Warburton (captain), 6-Dan Lydiate, 5-Luke Charteris, 4-Ryan Jones, 3-Paul James, 2-Huw Bennett, 1-Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16-Lloyd Burns, 17-Scott Andrews, 18-Alun Wyn Jones, 19-Josh Turnbull, 20-Tavis Knoyle, 21-Rhys Priestland, 22-Scott Williams.
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