Gavin Henson has issued a lengthy apology as he awaits his fate following his latest brush with controversy.
The 2005 Test Lion’s future is currently up in the air as the Cardiff Blues management meet this morning to discuss his punishment after an alcohol-fuelled incident on a team flight back from Glasgow.
Henson admitted drinking after the 31-3 defeat to the Warriors at Firhill and again on the flight back to Wales the following morning despite the region facing their biggest game of the season this weekend when they take on reigning champions Leinster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
“I would like to publicly apologise for drinking on that flight,” said Henson, who has been suspended by the Blues pending the results of their internal investigation.
“I admit I had been out drinking in Glasgow on the Friday night following our game against Glasgow Warriors and had stupidly carried on drinking on the flight, for which I am truly embarrassed about
“I can see that drinking and behaving inappropriately on that flight as a professional sportsman at 7am has caused offence to members of the public, the Flybe Airline staff and passengers.
“I know that I have let my team mates, coaches, management, sponsors and my family down with my actions. Drinking on that plane was inexcusable and I know that I must take responsibility for it
“I also accept that in the light of this I need to learn from it and ensure this does not happen again.
“I am prepared to co operate 100% with the Cardiff Blues’wishes and will do everything that I need to do in order to make amends and enable the Blues to focus on our biggest game of the season next weekend.
“I remain fully focused and committed to Cardiff Blues and I hope they can accept my apology.”
Henson, who only came on as a late replacement on the wing against Glasgow, is out of contract with the Blues this summer.
The 30-year-old signed an eight-month contract with the capital city region earlier this season after troubled spells with Toulon and Saracens.
His time in Toulon was also disrupted by an alcohol-related incident when he was involved in a heated argument on a team night out that eventually led to him leaving the French giants at the end of last season.
