Cardiff Blues sack Gavin Henson following drunken behaviour on flight

Gavin Henson is rated highly by the Wales coaching staff (GETTY IMAGES)

Gavin Henson has been sacked by his club Cardiff Blues following his drunken behaviour on a flight on Saturday morning.

The 30-year-old centre was flying from Glasgow to Cardiff the morning after his side's 31-3 RaboDirect PRO12 defeat to Glasgow when the incident occurred.

Henson moved quickly to say sorry for his behaviour, saying he was "truly embarrassed", but his apology has had little effect in saving his Blues career.

His club suspended him on Saturday evening for his antics and have since decided they had no alternative but to sack the former husband of singer Charlotte Church.

"The Cardiff Blues management have discussed the matter at length but have acted swiftly since the incident occurred on Saturday morning," Blues chief executive Richard Holland said in a club statement.

"Gavin admitted himself that his behaviour was totally unacceptable and the immediate termination of his contract sends out a clear message that behaviour like that will not be tolerated at the Blues.

"We have a duty to our supporters and sponsors to protect the good name of Cardiff Blues and those associated with our brand.

"Gavin Henson is obviously a talented rugby player and it's unfortunate that his career at the Blues has ended this way.

"However, we would like to thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck with his future career."

Henson only joined Cardiff in October, on an eight-month contract, but has struggled to have an impact, making just eight appearances.

The 2005 Grand Slam winning Wales international, who has 33 caps for his country, revealed in his apology that he had been out drinking on Friday night, and that he carried on drinking on the flight on Saturday.

Flybe, the carrier which Henson was flying with, have banned Henson from the airline for a six-month period.

A company spokesperson said: "The safety of our passengers and staff is Flybe's number one priority and as such the airline has a zero tolerance attitude to unruly behaviour on board our aircraft.

"We are grateful for Mr Henson's apology following Saturday's flight from Glasgow to Cardiff.

"However, in line with company policy, we have written to him, informing him that he will be banned from Flybe services for a period of six months."

This incident will leave a question mark hanging over the future of Henson. Cardiff was his fourth club in little over a year following his release by Ospreys and then short stints at Saracens and Toulon.