Gavin Henson has set his sights on playing for Wales in next year’s World Cup.
The oft-tanned place kicker has been on unpaid leave from the Ospreys and has not played since March 2009, having seemed to have fallen out of love with rugby.
However, it appears that a recent stint on reality TV show 71 Degrees North in Norway has reawakened that love and the 28-year-old now wants to launch a comeback that will see him picked by Wales again in time for the World Cup in New Zealand next summer.
"I've never been to a Rugby World Cup which is coming up in 2011 and I'm thinking about training for that," Henson was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.
"Hopefully I can get back into rugby, do well and get into the World Cup squad. It's the one thing that is not on my CV."
Wales will face world champions South Africa in Wellington as part of their pool stage next year and Henson would be a huge addition to the squad if he can regain his top level. However, coach Warren Gatland says he must see the player in action soon if he is to force his way into contention.
The New Zealander said: "If he's going to put himself in the frame it's got to be sooner rather than later.
"If it's not until the New Year it's potentially going to be too late – he's been out of the game for a while. I haven't spoken to Gavin but it would be great to see him back on the rugby field.
"I had a quick conversation with him last year and we were going to meet up but we didn't. I have spoken to his agent and I just think it's a loss for the game. He's a talented player."
Henson still has a year left on his Opsreys contract, but was linked with London Wasps of late. The player is believed to be interested in a switch to the Aviva Premiership and Shaun Edwards, the Wales and London Wasps coach, could try and bring him to Adams Park, as he did with his fellow Welsh team exile Andy Powell.