Henson grasps nettle in Bergerac

Chris Stephens: Back in the second row for Wales "A"

Swansea's rising fly-half star Gavin Henson will finally make his Wales "A" debut on Friday night against France in Bergerac.

The 19-year-old was originally selected for the "A" game against Ireland a fortnight ago, but that match was called off because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Henson played in Wales under-19's defeat to France last Friday and is expecting another tough encounter as he steps up a grade. The former Brytneg school boy has also represented Wales under-21s this season.

"I've been shipped about a bit haven't I and I've lost count of the number of team photos I've been in," Henson grinned.

Seen by many as the long term successor to Neil Jenkins, it seems the Wales management are prepared to give Henson's precocious talent something of a free reign.

Kevin Morgan starts at full-back

"They haven't said too much about the game, but they are keen for me to use the ball out wide and use the pace we have there," said Henson.

And what chance his distinctive spiky haircut replacing the ginger mop of Jenkins in the future: "It's a bit early to say stuff like that, it all depends on Friday's game at the moment and I'll know more after that," he smiled.

Henson's Durban-born Swansea team-mate Tyrone Maullin has been named in the second row for Wales 'A' against the French.

The 32-year-old was named in a Wales squad for a non-capped friendly against the USA before the 1999 World Cup, but was then deemed inelligible.

He now qualifies for his adopted nation on residency grounds.

Maullin had also been selected for the 'A' game with Ireland earlier this month, but that match fell victim to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Newport's Jason Jones-Hughes is rewarded for encouraging club form as he gets the nod over Cardiff's Jamie Robinson.

Cardiff wing Craig Morgan had originally been selected to play on the left wing, but a pulled hamstring means his place is taken by Neath's Shane Williams.

Chris Stephens drops down from the senior bench with James Griffiths replacing Deiniol Jones amongst the 'A' team replacements.

Rhys Williams' promotion to the senior side gives a starting place to in-form Swansea full-back Kevin Morgan.

Wales 'A' team to face France 'A' on Friday 16 March
K Morgan (Swansea), M Jones (Llanelli), J Jones-Hughes (Newport), A Durston (Bridgend), S Williams (Neath), G Henson (Swansea), H Harries (Bridgend, capt), I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), G Jenkins (Swansea), B Evans (Swansea), T Maullin (Swansea), C Stephens (Bridgend), A Popham (Newport), G Thomas (Bath), N Budgett (Ebbw Vale).
Replacements: S Jones (Neath), D Jones (Neath), J Griffiths (Swansea), J Ringer (Bridgend), P John (Pontypridd), L Jarvis (Pontypridd), J Robinson (Cardiff).