Gavin Henson's day of judgment dawns with England test

Wales' penultimate World Cup warm-up game against England in Cardiff offers Henson a chance to convince any doubters why he should be part of coach Warren Gatland's 30-man squad for New Zealand.

It was less than ago a year that Roberts and other leading Wales players struggled to contain their annoyance when a giant poster of Henson was unfurled at the Millennium Stadium to launch last season's new national kit. At the time, Henson was still in a prolonged self-imposed exile from rugby and was treading the celebrity boards on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

"Whatever he decides, Welsh rugby is not just about him," said Roberts, when quizzed last year on the issue. "The boys have worked very hard over the last couple of years since he hasn't been here, so it is an interesting decision to use that picture."

The best part of 11 months on, and Roberts is ready to team up with Henson in Wales colours for the first time since 2009 and possibly help catapult him towards World Cup selection.

"Gavin has been out of the game for a while," said the Cardiff Blues player. "But he has come back in, trained well and I am sure more than anything he's looking to prove to people that he can perform on the international stage. The boys are behind him. He's a very talented player and hopefully he can get back to the heights that he hit before he walked away from the game a couple of years ago.

"It is going to be hard for him, but it's a challenge he won't shirk from. There is nothing for him to be afraid of. He will be among experienced players, and I'm sure he will bring something new to the team.

"We did play together once before – in Italy in the 2009 Six Nations – and I don't think either me or Gav touched the ball until the 60th minute!"

Henson's appearance – his first against England since Wales set off on their Six Nations Grand Slam march three years ago – will inevitably mean he is the centre of attention. The bigger picture, though, is straightforward. Wales need to rediscover a winning habit just 18 days before they head for New Zealand. Gatland's men can reflect on just five victories in the last 20 Tests – against Italy (twice), Scotland (twice) and Ireland – and their success rate since the last World Cup stands at barely 47 per cent.

"Having lost twice to them (England) this year, I think there is a bit of pressure on us to win at home," said Roberts. "The Welsh nation expects, and as players we need to start expecting victories.

"We beat England at the Millennium Stadium in 2009, which I think was one of the toughest internationals I've played in. We were very direct, and I think we outmuscled England that day.

"But going into the World Cup we want a couple of good wins under our belt, and you don't get a bigger game than England."

l Springboks skipper John Smit is happy to have South Africa's senior players back in the team for the Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Durban this afternoon (4.05pmBST; Live on Sky Sports 3). The world's most experienced international captain, Smit said that the return of battle-hardened veterans like vice captain Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Fourie du Preez from injury meant it was "one of the best" teams South Africa had fielded for some time.

Smit and Matfield have both played more than 100 Tests, and the Boks are banking on the experience of a host of other 2007 World Cup winners against the Wallabies as they search for a first win of the season. "It's a pretty good team," Smit said. "Hopefully we'll be able to use those guys and step it up."

South Africa have picked a near full-strength team, with injured flanker Schalk Burger arguably the only frontliner missing. It's the first run-out of 2011 for most of the Springboks' top stars after a weakened squad lost heavily in Australia and New Zealand.

Wales

15 Hook

14 North

13 J Roberts

12 Henson

11 Shane Williams

10 Priestland

9 M Phillips

1 P James

2 Burns

3 Mitchell

4 Charteris

5 Wyn Jones

6 Lydiate

8 Faletau

7 Warburton (c)

Subs

16 Bennett

17 Bevington

18 Turnbull

19 Tipuric

20 Knoyle

21 Scott Williams

22 Brew

England

15 Foden

14 Ashton

13 Tindall (c)

12 Hape

11 Cueto

10 Flood

9 Wigglesworth

1 Corbisiero

2 Thompson

3 Cole

4 Deacon

5 Lawes

6 Wood

8 Easter

7 Fourie

Subs

16 Mears

17 Stevens

18 Palmer

19 Haskell

20 Care

21 Hogdson

22 Banahan