Phillips hails level-headed Henson

The Wales camp are confident Gavin Henson will not be fazed by the superstar status he assumed following his match-winning performance against England in Saturday’s opening RBS 6 Nations opener.

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys star struck the telling penalty goal which sent Wales to an 11-9 victory – their first over England in Cardiff for a dozen years.

And instantly the Welsh nation have found a new sporting hero.

But the Welsh management are confident inside centre Henson’s new-found fame will sit easily on the 23-year-old’s shoulders.

“Gavin is enjoying it all,” said Wales team manager Alan Phillips.

“Two years ago he wouldn’t have said hello to anyone, but now it’s water off a duck’s back.

“Confidence is the key for him and he’s a real professional. He is such a big powerful boy he can look after himself as he showed on Saturday.

“We don’t have to worry about him and we have a bunch of players around him who will keep everything in stock and they will protect him.”

Not only was there a winning penalty from Henson – now a favourite to make the British Lions tour to New Zealand this summer – but he also put in a number of big tackles, not least on England debutant Mathew Tait.

“It’s great having someone in the midfield who is prepared to knock people about,” added Phillips.

“When you see tackles like that it lifts the crowd and his team-mates, and puts the fear of God into the opposition, because they are all looking out for him after that.”

With the England game over, Wales now head to Rome this week and a tricky encounter against Italy, who beat them at the Flaminio stadium two years ago.

“England is behind us and now we aren’t looking any further than Italy because if we do we will slip up,” insisted Phillips.

“Italy will be targeting us big time. I know how John Kirwan (Italy coach) thinks. He will have them revved up on Saturday.”

Wales are due to name their side tonight with flanker Martyn Williams their main injury concern.

Williams, who had been a doubt to start against the world champions due to a neck injury, came through the match with no problems to his neck but picked up a knock to his knee.

The flanker, who won his 50th cap in the win over England, has not been in full training and his progress was being monitored over the last 48 hours.

Definitely out of contention is Ryan Jones who picked up a shoulder injury after coming on as a back-row replacement for Dafydd Jones in the second half.

Meanwhile, Wales continue to monitor the fitness of three players with longer-term problems.

Colin Charvis’ foot problem was reviewed today and he will wear a weight bearing cast for the next fortnight.

He is likely to be in contention for selection for Wales’ final RBS Six Nations 2005 match against Ireland in Cardiff.

Sonny Parker had a scan on his neck and will undergo further assessment tomorrow (Wednesday) and has been ruled out of taking any part against Italy.

Loosehead prop Duncan Jones will resume full training in the next couple of days, after a broken thumb ruled him out of last Saturday’s match, and he should be in contention for the France clash.