Gavin Henson comes out of retirement again and leads team to 36-0 win
Rugby NewsWednesday, 17 September 2025 at 11:59
Once hailed as “the David Beckham of rugby,” Gavin Henson was destined for greatness. Wales’ golden boy lit up headlines—not always for his brilliance on the pitch—but when it came to rugby, richis talent was undeniable.
Fast forward to today: Henson is back. The fly-half-cum-centre, whose past includes a stint on
Strictly Come Dancing, returned to the field last weekend, slotting in at fly-half for local side Pencoed as they trounced Bryncethin 36-0. Even in retirement, the spark hasn’t gone out.
Lions Legend Meets All Blacks
Henson’s story has always been larger than the game. His role in the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand is still remembered, taking on the All Blacks at a time when the Kiwis were seemingly unbeatable.
Off the field, Henson captivated headlines with his high-profile romance with Charlotte Church—engaged at one point before eventually parting ways.
Life After Rugby
Though he retired from professional rugby in 2019, Henson hasn’t been idle. He’s now the successful landlord of The Fox pub in St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan, turning a community spot into a thriving venture. His estimated net worth sits around £800,000, largely thanks to his rugby career, with his pub adding both a business and personal dimension to life after sport.
Career Highlights
Henson’s rugby journey began with Swansea and the Ospreys, earning him a four-year deal in 2005 worth £750,000—a huge sum for a rising star in the early professional era. He later played for Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, and the Dragons, never quite hitting the dizzy heights of his early career.
Pub Life: New Arena, Same Drive
Now, Henson has channelled that same competitive drive into pub life. Speaking to The Times, he said:
"I was coming to the end of my career, and it [the pub] had been sat here for 18 months, two years. It was not nice for the village, and I needed something to do after rugby and to be busy, not to mourn rugby and get depressed, as they say everyone does.
But be careful what you wish for because this is so full-on. We want to feel like we've achieved something with the pub. We're perfectionists. We're all about the detail."
The Comeback Continues
From superstar rugby to local legend behind the bar, Gavin Henson’s story proves some players never truly leave the game—they just find a new pitch.
EDITORS PICKS:
2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool
The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, expanding to 24 teams and hosted by Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.
The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here's a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.
Pool A
New Zealand – The Mighty All Blacks
The All Blacks are perennial powerhouses with three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). They reached the final in 2023 but were narrowly defeated by South Africa 12–11.
Argentina – Los Pumas on the Prowl
Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.
Portugal – The Lusitanian Lancers
Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.
USA – The Eagle Soars
The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.
Pool B
Ireland – The Emerald Warriors
Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.
Scotland – The Braveheart Tacklers
Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport's elite.
Uruguay – Los Teros Tenacious
Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.
Chile – The Rugby Condors
Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.
Pool C
South Africa – The Springbok Stalwarts
South Africa are masters of forward play and history-makers, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 12–11 victory over New Zealand.
Fiji – The Flying Fijians
Fiji’s flair and skill make them exciting to watch, blending tradition with dynamic attacking rugby.
Tonga – The Island Titans
Tonga brings relentless physicality and passion, often punching above their weight.
Romania – The Oak Strongmen
Romania has a long-standing rugby tradition, emphasizing forward dominance and set-piece strength.
Pool D
France – Les Bleus Unleashed
France is unpredictable and dynamic, capable of taking down any team with flair and creativity.
Italy – The Azzurri Avengers
Italy has steadily improved, developing young talent and focusing on competitive consistency.
Spain – The Iberian Bulls
Spain is emerging in European rugby, combining speed, skill, and growing experience on the international stage.
Hong Kong China – The Dragon Chargers
Hong Kong China qualified for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, defeating South Korea 70–22 in the final. This marks a significant milestone for rugby in Asia.
Pool E
England – The Red Rose Rampagers
England has a rich rugby heritage, with a strong domestic league and impressive international pedigree.
Georgia – The Scrum Kings
Known for their formidable scrum and forward play, Georgia is a rising force in European rugby.
Samoa – The Island Hurricanes
Samoa’s team combines skill, physicality, and a passionate rugby culture.
Canada – The Maple Warriors
Canada continues to develop their program, aiming to compete strongly on the world stage.
Pool F
Australia – The Wallabies on Home Turf
The host nation brings talent and experience, ready to dazzle crowds across seven cities.
Wales – The Dragon Fire
Wales is known for passionate supporters and a team that often exceeds expectations.
Japan – The Rising Sun Speedsters
Japan has become a force with speed, discipline, and memorable performances in previous World Cups.
Zimbabwe – The Sables’ Return
Zimbabwe qualified for 2027 by defeating Namibia 30–28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.
Tournament Format
The 24-team format features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including a Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.
Host Cities
Matches will take place across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.
Ticketing
Over 2.5 million tickets will be available, with travel packages launching in 2026.
QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men’s Rugby World Cups?
Think you know your rugby history? Test your knowledge and see if you can name all 26 teams that have played at the Men's Rugby World Cup.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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