Understanding Autism and Rugby Fame
Gavin Henson has revealed how discovering he is on the autism spectrum helped him make sense of the difficulties he faced during his rugby career.
A prominent member of Wales' Grand Slam-winning teams in 2005 and 2008, Henson was widely recognized both for his achievements on the field and his high-profile personal life.
His public profile grew through his relationship with singer Charlotte Church and appearances on television programs including The Bachelor and Strictly Come Dancing.
Despite his confident public persona—characterized by meticulously styled hair, shaved legs, and the use of fake tan—Henson acknowledged that off the pitch he was socially awkward and struggled to connect with others.
"Two extremes," Henson described his public and private selves, adding, "I found it really hard socially."
"But you know, I've learnt over the years. I fit in better now, it was hard then.
"I probably wouldn't talk, find it hard to greet people and stuff like that. But I've learnt over the years how, make contact with the eyes, things like that."
Henson, now 44, appeared on the program Scrum V Top 5 alongside comedian Mike Bubbins, who introduced him as the most famous Welsh player of the 2000s.
"A man who always played better than he looked... and he always looked amazing," Bubbins remarked.
Growing up, Henson aspired to be a famous rugby player and avoided drinking and partying with school friends to focus on his goal.
However, upon joining Swansea RFC at 18, he encountered a rugby culture where drinking was prevalent.
"You were judged as a youngster coming in, whether you fitted into the scene, and had a drink and let yourself go a bit," Henson explained.
"Because there were some youngsters that didn't and there were senior players then mainly, they didn't accept them.
"I went in on all parts – you want to fit in."
Henson became a key player for the Ospreys during the introduction of regional rugby in 2003, earning 33 caps for Wales and representing the British & Irish Lions, as well as playing for French club Toulon and Bristol.
"[I had] some amazing experiences. But I'm not that person day-to-day, it's a difficult environment for me," he said.
"I didn't quite fit into the norm. I have said I'm on the [autism] spectrum, and stuff like that [autism] was never talked about and knew about [when he was young].
"I think people may have understood me a bit better."
The lifelong condition affects communication and can make social interactions confusing or overwhelming, according to the National Autistic Society.
Autistic individuals may also have intense interests and prefer routines.
While autism is now more widely diagnosed and estimated to affect one in 100 people or more, Henson said understanding his diagnosis clarified his social behavior.
He noted that it also contributed to his success on the field.
"I'd always have this massive excitement, couldn't wait to go out and show off.
"I was quite insular, but that was my moment, where I can express then. I had everything all singing, all dancing, how I looked.
"It's the fake tan, do the hair, the look, click the fingers and let's go."
Henson believes the intense focus autism gave him during matches remains with him today, as he continues to play outside half every Saturday for his local club, Pencoed.
"I'd break down my whole game and try to perfect every part of it," he said.
"I was always searching for that perfect game. I'm still searching for it now at Pencoed."
Although no longer playing on the international stage, some aspects of Henson's rugby heyday persist.
He admitted to shaving his legs before the Wales versus England match in 2005, a game in which commentator Eddie Butler famously exclaimed, "shave away Gavin, shave away," after Henson kicked the winning penalty.
"My legs are still shaved from the weekend," he told Bubbins with a smile.
On the show, Henson shared his top five rugby players, beginning with former Olympic hurdler Nigel Walker, who transitioned to rugby as a fast winger for Wales and Cardiff.
He ranked fourth as Arwel Thomas, a standout player for Swansea who Henson sought to learn from early in his career.
He named Shane Williams as a player who often single-handedly kept the Ospreys competitive and was instrumental in Wales' Grand Slam victories in 2005 and 2008.
His second choice surprised Bubbins: England outside half George Ford.
While playing at Bath at age 31, Henson was expected to mentor the then 19-year-old Ford, but he was impressed by Ford's maturity and felt he learned from the younger player.
Henson's top pick was Scott Gibbs, whom he described as "a club legend" at Pencoed and a key figure in British & Irish Lions success, known for scoring one of Wales' most iconic tries in the 1999 victory over England at Wembley.
Gibbs was also a Swansea teammate when Henson began his career, and Henson recalled:
"I ended up sharing lifts [to training] with him.
"It was mad, to go from school, [to spending so much time with] someone I idolised."
He continues to see Gibbs occasionally, who sometimes visits the pub Henson owns in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The intense media scrutiny that followed Henson and Church has since faded, and he now leads a quieter life.
Reflecting on where he feels most at ease, Henson joked:
"Pot washing [in the pub]. I don't have to talk to anyone.
"I kind of like silence, get lost in my thoughts."
Additional reporting by Alex Gatehouse
