Henson set for Cardiff ruby debut

Wales' Gavin Henson is set to make his Cardiff Blues debut in Friday's Celtic League clash at home to local rivals Newport Gwent Dragons after being selected at full-back. Best known as a centre, the 29-year-old Henson is looking to revive an injury-hit career and has signed a short term deal with Cardiff which he hopes will be extended. Henson, who made his name with Welsh side the Ospreys, was on course to make Wales' World Cup squad until a wrist injury suffered in a 19-8 warm-up win over England at the Millennium Stadium in August ruled him out. "I'm incredibly grateful to the Blues for giving me a chance, it's kind of like a trial thing until the end of the season," Henson told the BBC. "So I'll be going all-out all season now to try and get another contract with them," the 33-times capped back added. "Everyone knows I've been a little bit injury-prone over the last four or five years, so I'm not much of a signing to anyone," added Henson who, after a self-imposed break from the game, had brief spells with English champions Saracens and French club Toulon before joining Cardiff. "So I am very grateful the Blues gave me a chance. It's up to me now to repay that and just try and get that long-term contract with them." Henson would like, ideally, to play at fly-half but Cardiff currently have Scotland international Dan Parks in the playmaking role while Wales' Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert can both play for the Blues at full-back. "I'm just glad to be starting; obviously not my preferred position, but never mind," said Henson. "I'm just glad to be on the field and it'll be interesting to see how it goes. I've been training hard so hopefully I'm up to the standard and it could be an exciting night. "With Leigh (Halfpenny) and Alex (Cuthbert) there they've been playing really well, so I'm going to enjoy playing alongside them and hopefully they'll help me out quite a bit because it's my first game for a while. "It's an exciting backline and very hard to get into, but hopefully we'll have a good result now Friday."