Two 2005 British & Irish Lions Test tourists teamed up together again for Toulon and gave the French side a major boost ahead of their first Heineken Cup quarter-final next weekend.
Gavin Henson’s marked his debut in the Top 14 with a try, and a 40 metre break that led to a second, in Toulon’s 38-10 demolition of Stade Francais Paris.
But while the Welsh international stole the headlines, it was Jonny Wilkinson who once again pulled the strings. Wilkinson helped himself to 18 points and put his side back in the hunt for a Play-Off place at the end of the domestic season in France
Henson had not played for the French club since signing from Saracens in early February due to an ankle injury.
“I feel great and, more importantly, so does my body. It couldn’t have gone better for me, to score a try and set up another was a great day – an unbelievable day, it’s a dream come true,” said Henson.
“I was a bit nervous before the game. It has been such a long time since I was out on the rugby pitch and almost two years since I started in the number 12 jersey, so it was great just to play the full 80 minutes.
“The fact it was such a stop-start game probably helped me in that respect. This game will stick in the memory and to score on my debut, in front of that crowd and my parents, is just amazing.
“Toulon could be a perfect place to restart my career. I love this part of the world and the atmosphere in the ground was like an international.
“I’m really enjoying life here, especially now that I’m back playing and I hope that will show in my rugby. I’m eligible for three more games and perhaps a few more in the Play-Offs.
“Hopefully, I’ll start them all and show what I can do. I hope this is just the start.”
