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Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport
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Henson hit with suspension by Toulon

Welsh international handed one-week ban by club for breach of disciplinary code.

GAVIN HENSON’S HOPES of securing a long-term deal with Top 14 side Toulon may be in jeopardy after the Welsh international was slapped with a one-week ban by the French club.

A statement issued by the club indicated that Henson had failed to “respect the code of good behaviour defined by the club,” but did not go into any further detail about the incident.

The 29-year-old moved to France in February after he was released from his contract by Aviva Premiership side Saracens. At the time, reports suggested that Henson was frustrated with the lack of playing time which he was getting in his preferred position of fly half and felt that he may find better opportunities elsewhere.

He joined Toulon shortly afterwards and, although his initial deal is set to expire at the end of the season, it is widely believed that a two-year contract extension was under discussion. It is not yet known how Henson’s latest infraction will impact upon his future in France.

This is not the first time that the star – who is the father of two children with Welsh singer Charlotte Church – has found himself in trouble.

In 2007, Henson faced the prospect of criminal charges as a result of drunken behaviour while travelling from London to Cardiff by train. The charges were subsequently dropped by Britain’s Crown Prosecutuion Service (CPS) who felt that they had insufficient evidence to press forward.

While with the Neath Swansea Ospreys in 2009, he was cautioned by police “in relation to an incident” in which a man had allegedly been assaulted.

Although Henson has 31 international caps for Wales, he has not played for the international team in over two years after he declared himself unavailable for selection.

Earlier this month, Wales assistant coach Rob Howley indicated that Henson wished to play himself back into contention for a place at this year’s World Cup, saying that it was “very likely” that he would be included for at least some of the tournament’s pre-season warm-up games.