The outside centre will win his 61st cap when Wales continue their quest to land a second successive RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam in Paris on Friday night.

But for the first time since last season’s Grand Slam-clinching victory over France at the Millennium Stadium, Henson is back on matchday duty.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has tried - and failed - twice this term to pair Henson with Shanklin’s Cardiff Blues powerhouse colleague Jamie Roberts in midfield.

Injuries to Henson scuppered Gatland’s grand plan - against world champions South Africa during the autumn, then for Wales’ opening RBS 6 Nations appointment with Scotland 17 days ago.

Roberts and his Blues colleague Shanklin though, have proved an impressive double act after starting together five times in Wales colours this season.

And their burgeoning partnership will be critical to Welsh hopes of battering Les Bleus for a fourth time in six Stade de France visits - while Henson awaits a possible chance off the bench.

“It is out of my hands in terms of selection,” said Shanklin, who has started 12 times during Gatland’s 13-Test reign.

“But it is in my hands that if I keep playing well, the team keeps playing well and we keep winning. Hopefully, it will keep going.

“That’s taking nothing away from Gavin, because we all know what a fantastic player he is, what he can offer and what he can bring.

“But it is difficult in all positions, really. We’ve got two outstanding 10s in Stephen Jones and James Hook, there is the scrum-half situation as well, and the wings, too.

“It must be good for the coaches because they’ve got all this talent to pick from.

“You don’t want to prove them wrong, you just don’t want to give them an excuse not to play you or involve you in the team.

“It is better for me now that I am in the team, keeping the pressure on to keep me involved, rather than being on the bench and trying to force my way in.

“The pressure is on you, and you have to perform.”

If Shanklin delivers again on Friday, then Gatland’s perceived midfield dream team of Roberts and Henson could struggle to make an appearance before next season.

“He (Gatland) has made no secrets about it that he wants to try the combination of Gavin and Jamie,” added Shanklin.

“How that works, no-one knows yet because every time they’ve wanted to, Gav has been injured.

“It is something they probably will try, but I can’t do anything about that.

“All I want to do is to try to stay in the team. There are three or four combinations of centres they could go with.”

Roberts (shoulder) and wing Shane Williams (ankle), meanwhile, both trained today prior to the squad’s evening flight for Paris.

And with no apparent injury concerns, much of the debate at Welsh headquarters revolved around France coach Marc Lievremont’s team selection for Friday that includes a proven international centre - Benoit Baby - taking fly-half duties, and a rookie Test match goalkicker in scrum-half Morgan Parra.