News

Henson: 'It's been a bit of a war zone'

August 04 2008

Ospreys centre Gavin Henson has revealed what life under Andrew Hore is like as the Welsh region step up their pre-season training.

Hore, the Ospreys Elite Performance Director, has, in his short tenure, already pushed through some major changes at the so-called 'super region'.

Lyn Jones has left as Head Coach, Kevin Hopkins has quit as Director of Rugby - less than a year into the job - and Justin Marshall has left to join Montpellier. All this means Jonathan Humphreys and Sean Holley will start the season as caretaker coaches.

However Henson believes the biggest changes seen since Hore's arrival have been in the new tough and uncompromising regime being implemented at pre-season training.

In fact Henson says the sessions have been so tough that the changing room afterwards resembles a war zone.

"Usually it's the case that you come into training first thing in the morning, get your head down and get the work done and then early afternoon it's wrapped up and that's the end of that," Henson told Wales on Sunday.

"This summer it's been different though. We've been working full days, it's been a taste of the nine to five for us.

"The days have been long and hard, with the emphasis on getting us into peak condition by the time the season kicks off.

"It's always tough this time of the year, but I honestly don't think I've ever been worked as hard in a pre-season as I have this summer."

Henson, who sat out Wales' tour to South Africa due to an ankle operation, is yet to return to full training, but has said his rehab work has been testing enough.

"The fact that I'm coming back from injury hasn't made a difference, there's been no hiding place for anyone," said Henson.

"Even if I've not been able to play a full part in some sessions, it's not been a case of sitting it out, there's been other things to keep me occupied.

"It's been a bit of a war zone in the dressing room after training at times.

"There's not been much said as everybody has been too worn out, but we've all known exactly what the others have been thinking."

The ankle injury, which Henson sustained against Saracens in the Heineken Cup quarter-final, will miss the start of the season as he continues his road back to action.

The 25-year-old, who has represented Wales in both of their recent Grand Slam winning campaigns, is expected to be fit to take part in the Ospreys' opening Heineken Cup fixtures in mid-October.

"Getting injured when I did was very frustrating, particularly as it meant I missed the EDF Final against Leicester," he said.

"Then, after doing so well in the Six Nations I had to sit at home when Wales went to South Africa.

"But I had to undergo surgery which went very well, rehab was good. I've hit all my targets since then so I'm optimistic that I'll be back in an Ospreys shirt on schedule."

Having been plagued with injury over the past few seasons Henson enjoyed a return to the top under Warren Gatland, and is hoping he can add to the latest Grand Slam winner's medal by helping the Ospreys to success.

"Having won the EDF Cup last time, we'll want to defend that title while we have to be looking at going the next step in Europe," said Henson.

"We can't just be satisfied with a losing quarter-final this time, we've got over the hurdle of the group stages now.

"We've had a taste of the knockouts now and the next challenge is to show that we can handle those occasions and win these big games.

"The win over Leicester at Twickenham was a big psychological thing for us, it sent out a message that we were able to handle the pressure. Now we have to show it wasn't a one-off.

"If we want to win the Heineken Cup then we have to face up to the challenge and beat the best sides on the way so we have to approach it in a positive manner."

Despite the gruelling nature of pre-season Henson has been impressed with the way Hore is looking to take the Ospreys forward.

"Andrew Hore is very innovative thinker, always looking at ways that he can make a difference and help to improve the players and the coaches," said Henson.

"Jonathan and Sean Holley are very similar to him in the way they approach training and squad sessions.

"We've spent a lot of time over the summer working on ways to find the extra five per cent to turn us from contenders to champions.

"The difference between winning and losing can sometimes be about what goes on in the head more than what is happening on the pitch. The coaches have been looking to change the way we think as a team, the way we interact with each other on and off the pitch and the way we approach the game.

"It's been great stuff, everybody has bought into what we have been doing."