Gavin Henson gets back in the groove at Saracens

It has been 548 days since Gavin Henson played rugby but here is the proof that a return to action is in sight.

The controversial Wales centre is set to join Saracens until the end of the season and our exclusive picture shows him training with the squad at St Albans yesterday. He went through a light session, centred mainly on fitness work.

Standard Sport revealed last week that the Premiership side were interested in Henson after fly-half Derick Hougaard tore his Achilles.

And although Henson is taking part in BBC TV's Strictly Come Dancing during his self-imposed break from rugby, Brendan Venter is convinced the 28-year-old still has a big appetite for the game.

"Gav had a fantastic session with us and was well received by the squad," said Saracens' director of rugby. "We wanted to meet him, show him our facilities and to see if this is a place where he wanted to play rugby again. I asked him why he wanted to join us and he said it was to rediscover his competitive side and prove himself again. That was the right answer for me."

Henson has not played since injuring his ankle in March 2009 and has been on unpaid leave from Ospreys since August last year.

His lawyers have been in lengthy talks with the Welsh club, who now appear to be happy to let him spend this season in London and return to Swansea next summer for the final year of his contract. Henson has to get back into action if he wants to be part of Wales' 2011 World Cup squad.

Saracens' chief executive, Edward Griffiths said: "We are in talks with the Ospreys but we still need to agree on how he can relaunch his rugby career and continue with Strictly Come Dancing."