Henson's celebrity in the way
2007-02-02 10:11
Cardiff - Wales coach Gareth Jenkins believes the showbusiness hype surrounding Gavin Henson is affecting the player's rugby.
Despite injuries and the suspension of former captain Gareth Thomas, Jenkins has still left Henson out of his entire matchday 22 for Sunday's Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
Henson, complete with his perma-tan, shot to prominence on and off the field as he helped Wales win a Six Nations Grand Slam two years ago.
Interest in his life away from rugby intensified when he started going out with Charlotte Church, well-known in Britain in her own right as a singer and television personality.
The pair were dubbed Wales's answer to David and Victoria Beckham and this season 25-year-old Henson has been photographed with Church in the French ski resort of Chamonix, much to the disgust of some former internationals.
Just a matter of days ago Jenkins appeared relaxed about Henson's lifestyle, saying: "Gavin is fine. I haven't talked to him about anything other than his rugby. We know his ability and as long as outside distractions don't detract from what I want or what the team wants from him then that's alright."
But, having announced on Thursday his side to play Ireland, Jenkins said of the Ospreys star: "My concerns about Gavin are based on the pressures surrounding him and the press is one of them.
"He hasn't got a moment when he isn't being scrutinised - he is scrutinised far more than any other player and that is hard on him."
Jenkins added: "He is not good enough to be in this team. He is one of 33 players around me in this squad and he will be treated like everyone else in terms of selection criteria.
"I will be judging him week by week during the campaign.
"At the moment he isn't playing his best rugby, but he is very talented and he is in an environment here where we are working hard.
"In this environment he can demonstrate that eventually he will compete for selection. This doesn't mean he can't get back into the Six Nations.
"He shares my views and he is fine. Whenever I feel it is right to pick him, I will pick him."
Jenkins kept Kevin Morgan at fullback and, following the loss of injured duo Shane Williams and Mark Jones, opted for Hal Luscombe and Chris Czekaj on the wings.