Henson is a key player around whom Wales will build their RBS 6 Nations championship campaign this season, starting against England in Cardiff on Saturday week.

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys prospect shone for his country during the autumn series when Wales suffered agonising defeats against southern-hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand and South Africa.

He has also been tipped for a Lions Test place on the tour to New Zealand later this year.

The challenge for Wales coach Mike Ruddock and his management team is to keep a lid on expectations surrounding Henson, but Wales captain Gareth Thomas believes he is in safe hands.

Gavin is certainly going to be one of the star players in world rugby, said Toulouse ace Thomas at Wednesday's RBS 6 Nations launch in London.

He has got a management team to protect him and keep him focused on rugby. It is great that he has got people pushing him in the right direction.

Henson has been nursing a groin strain over the past few weeks, and Ruddock can only hope that the situation does not worsen - particularly in light of injuries to key back-row men Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams.

Newcastle flanker Charvis has a foot injury, while the experienced Williams is nursing a disc problem in his neck - meaning both players look certain to miss Wales opening two RBS 6 Nations games against England and Italy.

Ruddock has drafted uncapped Ospreys man Richie Pugh into his squad, and all the indications are that the former Wales Under-21s captain will start when the world champions arrive in Cardiff.

Ruddock has players involved in French championship matches this weekend and he can only hope that no fresh casualties are reported, given the magnitude of Wales first fixture and the very real prospects of them beating England in Cardiff for the first time since 1993.

Talking to Andy Robinson [England coach] and Matt Williams [Scotland coach] earlier today, we all share those same nerves regarding the possibility of injuries, said Ruddock.