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Eight years ago Gavin Henson walked away from Welsh rugby amid a time of great personal unhappiness. This week, one of this country's greatest unfulfilled talents announced he is ready to return home after signing a two-year deal with the Dragons at the age of 35.

Here, he tells rugby correspondent Andy Howell the reasons for his decision, why he thinks he could still offer Wales something different, his ambitions to make the Dragons the best team in Wales, and the real reason he didn't return to the Ospreys after the controversy of his self-imposed exile all those years ago.

Gavin, you're coming home to Wales. Why now and why the Dragons?

I’m really happy at my age to get a two-year contract with the Dragons.

It feels the right time to come back. I’ve been playing away from Wales a long time and I’m seeing this as good opportunity to come back and pit myself against the current Wales internationals and the best players in the Pro12.

They have got some good players at the Dragons in the backs, like Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos, Jack Dixon and Ashton Hewitt.

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I think they can benefit from all the experiences I’ve had in rugby working with different players and coaches, and in a variety of leagues, whether it’s the Pro12, the Aviva Premiership or the French Top 14.

I hope to pass that on to those young lads and I can’t wait to play in that backline. I think I can get the best out of them and help them to look good.

Can you help transform the Dragons into a force?

I hope so, that’s one of the reasons I’m joining. I honestly believe it won’t take a lot to turn them around.

If we start off next season with one or two wins and get a bit of confidence I’m sure those boys will flourish.

I’ll do my best to give them some guidance and I don’t see any reason why we can’t be Wales’ best finisher in the Pro12. We want to make them Wales’ top region.

Bristol had a training game against them which I played in and the Dragons have also got a decent pack. We had a hard time against them so, if we have a forward platform next season, we’ve got boys who can light up the Pro12 if they’re playing with confidence and direction.

What’s your view of the Pro12?

It’s much better since it became a proper qualifying tournament for Europe.

Thinking about it, it was ridiculous when I was playing for the Ospreys that the qualification formula wasn’t the same as it is now.

When I left I was ready for a change, to play against different teams in what at the time were more meaningful competitions.

But the Pro12 is much better now and there’s plenty to play for.

You’ve had two serious injuries this season, what shape are you actually in these days?

I’m coming off a bit of a bad year in terms of injuries but my body feels great. I feel mentally refreshed and physically I know how to look after my body really well.

The injuries I have had have been the result of bumps, which is an occupational hazard playing rugby, in matches, not muscle pulls.

When you count how many injuries I’ve had over the years I haven’t played that much rugby, which hasn’t been great, but the plus side is I’m not burnt out.

I feel there’s a lot of rugby left in me and, ironically, the knocks have given me longevity.

What is the full extent of the injuries you've sustained playing rugby?

Blimey, I’ll have to look at the scars on my body to make sure I don’t miss any!

Two broken legs, both ankles, a broken wrist for Wales against England in 2011, which cost me any chance of going to the World Cup, a shoulder operation, knees, broken ribs, pelvis, a fractured cheekbone in a pre-season ‘friendly’ against the Scarlets, a hernia and torn calves.

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How difficult has it been to keep coming back?

It’s been tough but I love playing the game. I’m pretty good at it and pretty confident when I’m playing.

I’ve got some good form going and then been hit by injuries, and they always seem to be pretty serious.

Has there been times when you’ve come close to retiring?

I kind of did in 2009 when my head went after being injured for the Ospreys against Gloucester.

That’s why I took a sabbatical. At that time I didn’t understand my body or the injuries and it was only after employing some personal physios I figured out what was happening.

You can’t prevent impact injuries occurring on the field but it’s been frustrating how many I’ve had.

Why didn’t you return to rugby with the Ospreys after ending your sabbatical?

Scott Johnson (then director of coaching) and Andrew Hore (then chief operating officer) didn’t want any of it.

But it was a good time for a change. I wasn’t sure about returning to play in Wales as I was going through quite a public split with Charlotte Church.

That was tough to get through and it probably hindered the way I was thinking.

If Wales came calling again what would you say?

Yes. I’m not retired from international rugby and sometimes, when I’ve watched Wales playing and it’s not been going right, I think I could still do a job and offer something different.

What’s your assessment of Wales in the Six Nations?

I really enjoyed the match against England and felt we were the better team. I like the rugby we played.

Rhys Webb is probably the best scrum-half in the world. It’s great the way he stays so square in attack, which creates opportunities for others. He should definitely start for the Lions against New Zealand.

The final 30 minutes against Scotland were disappointing after we failed to take earlier chances to run away with that game but we bounced back against Ireland.

It would be nice for Wales to finish off on a high against France and be in the top four of the world rankings. It would be heck of a turnaround from what we were talking about a week ago, about dropping out of the top eight and being in a group of death at the next World Cup.

Sam Warburton has been back on form and Justin Tipuric is unbelievable. He was coming through when I was at the Ospreys and seems to be able to do anything.

Would you like to play behind these Welsh forwards?

I would have loved to have a pack like that in front of me. The size of it, the work-rate and the way they defend is incredible.

We had a different type of pack but I have to say it’s nothing on the boys who are playing now.

Has public criticism of Warren Gatland's regime been justified?

You can’t argue with the success Wales have had under ‘Gats’ in the Six Nations.

He knows how to play in the Six Nations. It’s a very effective style and has brought mostly good results or made for very close games.

What was your highlight playing for Wales?

There was some great moments. I’ll always be remembered for those tackles on Mathew Tait against England in 2005 and the long-range penalty that won the game but the 2008 Grand Slam was also pretty special.