WARREN Gatland has been told to forget about Gavin Henson for the looming autumn internationals.
The man bombed out by the Blues was the one shining light for London Welsh as they crashed at home to Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Henson again shone at fly-half, but it was in a losing cause as Lyn Jones' side were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the French.
It was the most recent step on the comeback trail of the double Six Nations Grand Slam winner.
Henson, 30, has reverted to his old position of No 10 and is easing his way back to match fitness following his recovery from the fractured cheekbone he picked up in a pre-season friendly at the Scarlets.
Although a below-strength London Welsh shipped nine tries against a Felipe Contepomi-inspired Stade during their European debut at Oxford's Kassam Stadium, Jones was delighted with the contribution of Henson.
"He was very good, he has been excellent," said the former Ospreys boss. And, despite the battering endured by his men against Stade, Jones added: "I thought Gavin held us together at No 10. I'm just really pleased for him and the way he has taken on responsibility in the changing room and stood up.
"He offers the game a high level of ability. There was two world-class kickers on the field. Gavin and Contepomi were those two.
"Rugby players are rugby players. You need to make the right environment for them to come and enjoy training and playing rugby."
But with talk already emerging of a Henson recall for Wales, Jones cautioned: "Look, it's two matches in and we need to bide our time a bit, enable him to settle in and play. Then we'll see what comes of it."
London Welsh have confounded pundits and most rugby followers with two victories and a couple of losing bonus points in the Aviva Premiership to be above the relegation zone.
Henson has been their highest-profile signing, but there wasn't much demand for the celebrity television figure following his exit from the Blues last season after his admitted misbehaviour on an aeroplane while returning from a match in Scotland.
It's fair to say some of London Welsh's squad have been punching above their weight in the Premiership and it wasn't a surprise to see them struggling mentally against former French champions and Paris aristocrats Stade.
Jones gave some fringe players an opportunity but the lack of strength in depth told. But he was disappointed they conceded so many points, saying: "It verged on a level of embarrassment as the game went on."
After a pause, Jones continued: "It was a healthy rugby lesson from a very efficient Stade Francais side. That's the way it goes.
"I knew it was going to be a huge challenge for our players, that we had to play well and they had to play badly for us to register a victory, but they played well with a couple of our mistakes at the outset setting the tone."
Henson accounted for 14 of London Welsh's points through a conversion and four penalties, one of them a monster effort. It was a trademark shot at goal from a metre inside his half and reminiscent of his match-winning effort against England at the Millennium Stadium in 2005 as the ball soared over the crossbar.
His vision, ability to kick accurately out of hand and pass crisply were still apparent but it was difficult to judge whether he still possesses the pace and hunger to return to the highest level.
Although his Grand Slams came at centre, if he does return to the international arena, it would almost certainly have to be at outside-half.
It shouldn't be forgotten some of his best rugby for the Ospreys came in that position. London Welsh's failure to retain the ball didn't offer him much opportunity to show his wares in offence against Stade but he was involved in the build-up to the Exiles' only try, by hooker Greg Bateman.
London Welsh: A Davies; A Smith, J Lewis, R Davies, N Scott; G Henson, N Runciman (T Keats 72); F Montanella (T Bristow 68), G Bateman (D George 66), A Joly, K Kulemin, M Corker, J Mills (capt, E Williamson 71), E Jackson, M Denbee (M Purdy 76).
Stade Francais: H Bonneval; J Sinzelle (L Gomez 5), W Nayacalevu (J Danty 55), F Contepomi, F Fainifo; J Plisson (L Rubio 71), N Bezy; Z Zhvania (J Becasseau 68), R Bonfils (M Van Vuuren 71), R Slimani, J Guillemain, A Van Zyl (N Garrault 59), A Burban, P Rabadan (capt), L Tomiki (A Chollon 63).
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