Henson quits Saracens to pave way for Toulon move

(AP)

Gavin Henson, the celebrity ballroom dancer and occasional Wales midfielder who joined Saracens before Christmas in a bid to rejuvenate his union career, last night walked away from the Premiership club after making the grand total of four appearances – all of them some way short of brilliant. His request for contractual release, swiftly granted by the Watford-based team, paves the way for a move to France, where he has recently been seen talking to senior figures at big-spending Toulon.

Henson moved into English rugby, amid talk of an early return to the national team, after taking a long period of unpaid leave from Ospreys, the most powerful of the four Welsh regional sides. At the time, he said he wanted to ease his way back into the game away from the glare of publicity in his homeland. He also indicated that a spell in London would allow him to spend more time with his children.

According to sources in France, the Toulon boss Philippe Saint-André is seeking midfield cover for Jonny Wilkinson, who will spend the next few weeks with England on Six Nations duty, and the Argentine goal-kicker Felipe Contepomi, who has been struggling with injury.