Henson helps Sarries secure victory

Gavin Henson
12 April 2012

Gavin Henson made his comeback after a 21-month absence on Sunday as Saracens ended Wasps' unbeaten run to move second in the Aviva Premiership with a 13-6 victory.

Henson's fellow replacement Andy Saull scored the decisive try, with Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell and Wasps' opposite number Dave Walder landing two penalties apiece.

Wasps left Wembley with a bonus point but it was their first Premiership defeat since their 37-10 mauling at home to Northampton in October.

Saracens attracted a Boxing Day crowd of 38,421 to Wembley and all eyes were on Henson, who had not played since the Ospreys' LV= Cup semi-final in March 2009.

For six months after taking unpaid lead from the Welsh region, Henson believed he would not play rugby again.

The 28-year-old appeared in 71 Degrees North and Strictly Come Dancing but Henson said he began to miss the blood and thunder of top-flight rugby.

He jumped at the chance of joining Saracens until the end of the season and his sights are now set on playing for Wales again, first in the Six Nations and then next year's Rugby World Cup.

Today was a first tentative step down that road. Typically, it took just two minutes before Henson was at the heart of the action when he picked off an interception just metres from the Wasps line. He drove for the line but was wrapped up by Joe Simpson and could not ground the ball as the Wasps scrum-half denied him a dream comeback.

Saracens were 3-0 up at the interval courtesy of a penalty from Farrell and they extended their advantage with a beautifully crafted try from Saull six minutes into the second half.

Wasps responded with two Walder penalties but Saracens held firm and sealed an important victory.

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