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Gavin Henson could be set for a sensational move back to Welsh rugby – with the Dragons.

The colourful Wales international is understood to be ready to follow his coaching mentor Lyn Jones to the Gwent region in a novel pay-for-play scheme.

It’s believed the show-biz Henson would be prepared to accept a lower basic wage and a top-up system, where he would receive a certain amount of money per appearance made.

The career of the double Six Nations Grand Slam winner has been blighted by injuries and disciplinary problems since returning from a 21-month sabbatical in December 2010 and he realises clubs would be unlikely to take a chance on paying him a bumper basic salary.

The 31-year-old, who has been capped 33 times by Wales and once by the Lions, attempted to re-ignite it with Jones at London Welsh last season.

Ex-Wales flanker Jones, Wales’ most successful regional coach with two Celtic League titles and an Anglo-Welsh EDF Cup glory with the Ospreys to his name, tipped Henson to be called up for this year’s Six Nations Championship.

But the centre, outside-half or full-back’s dreaded injury curse struck again with back and calf problems restricting Henson to just 11 outings in all competitions as they were relegated from the Aviva Premiership despite a valiant against the odds effort to stay up.

His latest set-backs didn’t prevent Bath from opening talks with him over a proposed two-year contract to switch to the West Country. But nothing concrete has materialised.

Henson had attempted to resurrect what had been a glittering career by signing for Saracens after ending his self-imposed sabbatical, declining to return with the Ospreys following the departure of Jones as coach.

He also had short stints with French big-spenders Toulon and the Blues but left both under a cloud following off-the-field disciplinary problems.

The signing of Henson by the Dragons – Jones’ formal appointment as the Newport-based out-fit’s director of rugby is imminent – would be a massive state of intent they mean business and capture the attention of Gwent rugby followers disenchanted by years of mediocrity at Rodney Parade.

Jones said last season: “Gavin is these days a more confident individual than I have seen. Everybody knows how much talent Gavin possesses.

“He’s a class act. He knows how to control a game, has vision, skill and a prodigious boot.”

Henson’s last appearance for Wales was in August 2011 when he broke an arm playing against England, ruining his chances of going to that year’s World Cup in New Zealand.