Crusaders beckon if Gavin Henson quits rugby union

Celtic Crusaders would be willing to hold talks with Gavin Henson if he quits rugby union and wants to try his hand at Super League.

According to reports, the 27-year-old Wales centre has told his club Ospreys that injuries and disillusionment have prompted his decision to take time away from the game.

The Ospreys are making no comment but, while the reports suggest the 31-cap international is likely to take up sailing with his wife, the singer Charlotte Church, rather than rugby league, the Crusaders say their door is open.

Mike Turner, chief executive of the Bridgend club, said: "There are currently no talks to bring him to the Crusaders as a player but I know he is a big fan of the club and attends most matches.

"However, if he does want to enter into talks into playing rugby league for us, we will listen with great interest."

The Bridgend-born Henson watched the Crusaders' 25-12 Super League win over Salford at the Brewery Field on Saturday, when he apparently told friends of his decision.

The Crusaders are planning a major shake-up of their playing personel after struggling in their first season in Super League and the arrival of the 2005 Lion would provide them with a major publicity boost.

However, whether they would be able to meet Henson's wage expectations is another matter as they struggle to reach the required break-even attendance figure of 4,500.

Henson played in just three of Wales' games in the 2009 Six Nations and was not selected for the Lions' tour of South Africa.

He played a full part in both the 2005 and 2008 Welsh grand slams but missed much of the intervening seasons with persistent knee and Achilles problems.