### Gavin Henson Opens Up About Tough Return to Amateur Rugby and Sideline Taunts
Welsh rugby icon Gavin Henson has shed light on the challenges and unexpected experiences he’s faced since returning to play for his childhood club, Pencoed RFC. Far removed from the glitz and spotlight of professional rugby, Henson’s recent foray into the grassroots game has come with both nostalgic joy and some sobering moments, including aggressive on-pitch incidents and relentless heckling echoing from the sidelines.
After a distinguished career that saw him become a prominent star for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, Henson has taken up the fly-half role with Pencoed in National League Division Two. Crowds still gather for a glimpse of the 43-year-old in action, proving that his allure remains undiminished. Yet, in a candid discussion on the “Stick to Rugby” podcast, Henson revealed that stepping down to the amateur level has not afforded him any special protection from the rigours of the sport—if anything, he’s found quite the reverse.
Henson, speaking alongside former Wales teammate Tom Shanklin and England’s Lawrence Dallaglio, admitted, “I missed the physicality, to be honest. I feel like a man again.” This return to contact rugby seems to have reignited his passion, despite the clear increase in rough and ready challenges witnessed at this level. “There are no touch judges. Last season, I got hit off the ball—got the ball away, though—then as I’m on the floor, he’s gone and gone whap! Straight in my face!” Henson recounted, describing a moment when an opponent punched him unprovoked. The player responsible was subsequently sent off, but the incident illustrates the raw and uncompromising nature of grassroots rugby.
Beyond the physical, Henson has found himself the subject of regular vocal jibes from spectators. Perhaps the most persistent is a well-known chant immortalised by the late Eddie Butler in 2005, referencing Henson’s infamous preference for shaving his legs before his dramatic match-winning kick against England. Despite the years that have passed, Henson admitted these cries still ring out with every kick: “It’s all I’m getting, every time I kick—‘Shave away, shave away!’”
This sort of attention is a far cry from the professional environment Henson was used to. Yet, even as he remains a draw for local crowds, it’s clear that both players and fans alike occasionally treat the former international with a degree of roughness and banter reserved for the sport’s most memorable personalities. Henson’s willingness to address these experiences publicly sheds light on the unique challenges faced by former professionals who reengage with their sporting roots.
Reflecting further on his personal journey, Henson also discussed early career struggles, particularly his difficulty with public speaking—an aspect of team life that proved daunting, especially as a teenager surrounded by his rugby heroes. In a revelatory moment, he recalled being asked to speak in front of the Welsh squad as an 18-year-old, an experience that led him to leave the squad and miss out on over two years of international action. “Whether it’s school or whatever, going up and speaking in front of people, it’s still hard now for me,” he explained.
It’s evident that, while Henson’s on-field talent brought him accolades and admiration, the off-field pressures and expectations sometimes weighed heavily. His openness highlights how public figures, for all their perceived confidence, are not immune to struggles that are altogether human.
Henson’s career, which began with his debut for Wales in 2001 after making his mark as a prodigy in Welsh rugby, has seen remarkable highs and crushing setbacks. His return to the amateur game is a testament to his enduring love for the sport, but it also serves as a reminder that stepping back to one’s roots can present its own unique set of trials.
The story of Henson’s current chapter is not just one of nostalgia, but an ongoing journey through the realities of Welsh rugby culture, competitive spirit, and the enduring camaraderie—and rivalry—that define the game at every level.