Wales boss Warren Gatland has made it crystal clear he wants all his players to remain within the regional set-up but that policy suffered a hammer play when in the space of a week two of his biggest stars announced their intention to leave the Ospreys.

Henson will join Aviva Premiership side Saracens after his reality-television commitments have finished, fellow 2008 Grand Slam winner Hook seems poised for a move to France once his contract expires.

With the World Cup fast approaching Wales legend Edwards is adamant he would rather see Gatland have his squad under lock and key, yet feels Hook’s move will benefit him in the long run.

“We don’t like losing any players in Wales to any other country because we like to see them in our own backyard,” said Edwards speaking at the inaugural Jaguar Academy of Sports Awards.

“It’s not a selfish attitude it’s just a factual thing that I would much prefer them to stay in Wales because we like to watch him play and if he goes to France and benefits from that, it’ll be to the good for the Wales side.

“Moving to France certainly gave Stephen Jones a new dimension, and it certainly could do the same for James Hook.

“He’s a wonderful player and if it’s in France it’s going to be, I’m sure he will learn from it.

“It’s a demanding place to play rugby but there is no doubt that players have played there have all come back saying they have learned a great deal from playing there.”

While Hook will remain in Gatland’s plans wherever he plays, Edwards is less convinced Henson will be able to force his way back into the reckoning after a near two-year hiatus from the game.

But if anyone has the self-belief to stage such a comeback, Edwards maintains it is the publicity-seeking 28-year-old.

“Who knows if Gavin Henson has a future in the Wales side?” added Edwards who also once the poster boy for Wales rugby in which he won 53 caps. “He’s a very confident young man and he believes he has.

“He’s relatively fit but it might take him a little while to get back and get some form back, to get into match fitness and to get into the pace of things once again.

“It’s more than being fit it’s about getting accustomed to the knocks and the physicality of it all again.

“But he’s very robust and always kept himself in good condition so hopefully he’ll be back soon, as a player – at his best – he’s an outstanding player, so we can ill-afford to have him not playing for Wales for too long.

“It’ll be very interesting to see how quickly he can recover his form and get back into the fold.”