JONATHAN Thomas has spelled out why the Ospreys have had to move on without Gavin Henson.

The region have fielded more questions on Henson than any player over the past 18 months, despite the centre being firmly ensconced in rugby exile.

Warren Gatland also chipped in with his take on the Lion recently when he spoke of his chances of playing in the 2011 World Cup.

Some felt Gatland acclaiming Henson, a player who has put himself outside the game, didn't exactly send the right message to the centres who are in Wales's squad.

The Ospreys have taken a different tack, choosing to deflect enquiries about the absent one with an insistence that they need to focus on the personnel who are available to them.

Stress

Thomas, a team-mate of Henson's since the pair came through at Swansea, went out of his way to stress the value of the former Brynteg schoolboy's talent, but insisted the region had no option but to deal with life without him, with the players unfazed by the seemingly never-ending speculation over the 28-year-old.

"It doesn't affect us whatsoever," said Thomas.

"We don't regard him as a player here at the moment because he hasn't been here for so long.

"It's been quite a number of months now since he has been with us. It's not something we worry about and as far as we are concerned Gavin is getting on with his life.

Future

"If in the future he decides to come back that's up to him."

If he does eventually return to rugby, Henson — today confirmed as a contestant in the new run of Strictly Come Dancing — will face the not inconsiderable challenge of picking up where he left off.

Anyone who saw the South Africa v Australia game last weekend will testify to how fast and lung-bursting the game has become at the top level.

Henson has been keeping himself in shape, but solo conditioning is no substitute for team sessions and rugby-oriented training under a regional or national fitness expert. A return will not be easy.

"It will be a lot to ask of Gav because he has spent that much time out of the game," said Thomas.

"Speak to any player who has been out for 12 months with injury and he will tell you how difficult it is to come back.

"Take Ian Evans: he missed six months last year and it took him that long to get his confidence and form back.

"It's only now that Ian is back fully fit. Gavin has been out of the game for so long, it will take him a while to return to where he was."

Thomas added: "When Gav is on top of his game, he is an asset that Wales could do with, but you have to have players who want to be here or there.

"It's pretty simple thing: if Gavin wants to come back and play that's up to him but the desire has to be there.

"Only he can tell you if he has that desire. I or any of the other players cannot tell you if he has that.

"The ball is in his court and unfortunately the game moves on. Things move on and new players come in — that's just the way it is.

"It's a harsh world but we will just have to wait and see what happens."

mark.orders@swwmedia.co.uk