Gavin Henson ready for selection fight at Blues
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Gavin Henson acknowledges he has some hard work ahead to break into the Cardiff Blues side this season.
The Wales star was unveiled by the Blues on Thursday after signing a contract until the end of the season.
Henson is due back in training on Monday after recovering from a broken wrist which ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup.
"There is huge competition. I've definitely got my work cut out to get in this team," said 29-year-old Henson.
"I've only signed until the end of the season, kind of like on trial as well and I want this to be my last club.
"I've got to put in some hard work in and try and force my way into that team, at what position I'm not sure yet.
"I enjoy playing 10. I enjoy playing 12. So just wait and see what the coaches want from me.
"It would be nice to get an opportunity as a 10. I do enjoy that position the most, but then again I do enjoy 12. We'll wait and see."
Henson has signed for the Blues hoping to re-ignite his international career and has ambitions of making the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia in 2013.
His dream of appearing on the World Cup stage this year was shattered by a wrist injury, but the utility back hopes to be around in four years' time to finally make his tournament debut.
"I was really proud of the boys to be honest," said Henson of Wales' performances in New Zealand.
"I'm a Welsh rugby fan at heart. It was amazing to watch I thought they were incredible. It was the best I've ever seen Wales play.
"I nearly snuck in on that plane journey to the World Cup apart from this injury.
"But looking at I didn't deserve to be there to be honest. Those boys have been together for over two years working really hard and it would have been unfair if I had of snuck on that.
"They deserve all the plaudits they get because they were incredible. It wasn't so frustrating to watch then. I loved watching every second of it."
With the wrist injury now healed, Henson is hoping for a period of stability after brief spells with Saracens and then Toulon last season.
His stay in the south of France ended amidst yet more off-field controversy after being suspended for a week for fighting with his team-mates in a bar.
Those moves came following an 18-month self-imposed break from rugby which ended his time at the Ospreys.
"I think it's exciting times at Cardiff Blues," he said. "They have got good youngsters coming through. They have got great facilities here.
"To play alongside Jamie Roberts on a weekly basis is going to be pretty special.
"And with the forwards as well. Sam Warburton is one of the best sevens in the world, and then Martyn Williams is still here, and Gethin Jenkins is the best prop in the world.
"[They are] world-class players so really [I'm] excited to be involved in that."
Henson says rugby rather than reality TV is now his priority after he was involved in programmes like The Bachelor and Strictly Come Dancing.
"There's a Lions tour in two year's time and obviously I really want to go to a World Cup, so I'm going to do everything I can to be on that next one," he said.
"Just looking after myself and trying to play as long as possible. Because being back involved in rugby over the last year or so, I really enjoy it.
"I've missed it so much and I've got that love for the game back, and I don't want that to end soon.
"I still think my best rugby is still yet to come."
