Gavin Henson switch to Toulon confirmed

(AP)

Gavin Henson has completed his move to Toulon, the French Top 14 club have confirmed.

The 29-year-old was last night released from his Saracens contract after just one start for the Aviva Premiership side.

A statement on the Toulon website, http://www.rctoulon.com, read: "Wales international Gavin Henson has signed a contract at Toulon as a 'medical wildcard' for Clement Marienval."

The 31-cap centre made just four appearances for Saracens since making his debut as a replacement against Wasps on Boxing Day at Wembley.

Henson, who will join England internationals Jonny Wilkinson and Paul Sackey at Toulon, had hoped that his return to the game would be enough to convince Wales head coach Warren Gatland to include him in his squad for the upcoming RBS 6 Nations championship.

But a calf injury suffered almost three weeks ago against Leinster in the Heineken Cup extinguished his hopes of selection.

Henson had also voiced his concern at not being given any game time at Saracens in his preferred positions of fly-half and inside centre.

Saracens instead opted to use the 2005 Lions tourist as an outside centre with Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt filling their inside-back positions.

Toulon had been on the lookout for cover for Marienval, while they also have space in their squad following the loss of Felipe Contepomi to injury and Wilkinson, who is away on Six Nations duty with England.

The move should allow Henson to play in his preferred roles and boost his chances of making a first World Cup appearance in New Zealand later this year.

He also joins a growing Welsh contingent who will ply their trade in France.

Former Ospreys team-mates James Hook and Lee Byrne have recently confirmed their moves to Perpignan and Clermont Auvergne respectively, with scrum-half Mike Phillips also being linked with a move overseas.