Ospreys hold 'courtesy' talks with Gavin Henson

Gavin Henson played for Saracens and Toulon after leaving the Ospreys

Coach Scott Johnson has admitted he has held talks with Wales centre Gavin Henson over a possible return to the Ospreys "out of courtesy."

But 10 months after leaving the Ospreys in controversial circumstances, the 29-year-old could be on his way back.

BBC Sport Wales understands the Ospreys are not the only club interested in signing Henson, who will miss the World Cup because of a wrist injury.

"I spoke to Gavin out of courtesy," said the Ospreys director of coaching.

"He wanted to speak to me so I spoke to him. It is pretty simple."

Henson played only a handful of games under Johnson's regime at the Ospreys as the player suffered an ankle problem in EDF Energy Cup clash with Gloucester in March 2009.

Analysis

Gareth LewisBBC Wales rugby union expert

Henson and senior members of the Ospreys management held a three hour meeting last week. The player was told that if he wanted to return he needed to make rugby his first, second and third priorities. Both parties are now taking stock. It's understood there are differences of opinion within the Ospreys over re-signing Henson.

Wales' double Grand Slam winner then took indefinite unpaid leave from the Welsh region before he was released to join Saracens in October 2010.

Henson then joined French Top 14 side Toulon in February but left the south of France when Toulon cited financial pressures and his possible involvement in the World Cup as the reasons for not keeping him for the 2011-12 season.

Henson has become a reality television star since leaving the Ospreys but is currently without a club - and in June, he re-iterated his desire for an Ospreys return.

Johnson also coached Henson during their Wales days and the Ospreys boss admits he has spoken to the 2005 British and Irish Lions Tourist, who will return from his wrist problem in November.

"When I coached him for Wales, Gavin was a wonderfully gifted kid," said the former Wales skills coach.

"Everytime I coached Gavin I had nothing but good things to say about Gavin as a rugby player.

"Changing to 12 was a great move for him but we want to talk about rugby and rugby only.

"We want people to have things in their life but we want to have rugby as their prime focus. That's what we're about. To us that is a key component going forward."

Ospreys chief operation officer Andrew Hore said recently that the club should no longer be regarded as 'Galacticos' following a culture shift after the departure of big-name players.

Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne have left and will move to France after their return from Wales World Cup duty.