Henson has been named alongside Tom Shanklin in the Wales midfield to face England at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, despite having been suffering from a groin injury for several weeks.

The midfield battle between Henson and Shanklin against the inexperienced English pairing of Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait promises to be one of the games decisive factors.

And Henson dismissed lingering fears that the long-standing groin problem might restrict him in a game which will see him carry a considerable amount of Welsh expectation.

I have been on anti-inflammatories every day, Ive just been cut down to one training session a day, and it is feeling all right, said Henson.

Ive felt it for the last six or eight weeks - a gradual thing that got worse. But it was nice having the weekend off, and it feels fine now.

Henson, especially given his blistering form during the autumn Tests, fully accepts he has now become a marked man.

But he added: I dont mind that, because I hope by attracting players on to me, it creates space for others. Thats what normally happens, so it should make it easier.