Lion has his mane tamed

With a big match approaching, Gavin Henson might have had his thoughts on streamlining when he asked a stylist to tackle that famous mop of dyed red hair.

Or perhaps he just wanted to look his best for Charlotte Church.

The image-conscious Welsh rugby star, in New Zealand with the touring Lions squad, welcomes his girlfriend there today for a flying 72-hour visit, and made it clear he can't wait to see her.

'It's awesome she's coming over,' he said. 'It will be good to be able to spend some time with each other, although we won't be going out much - we'd just attract too much attention.'

Quite what coach Sir Clive Woodward makes of the visit is unknown. While his general policy is to welcome wives and partners at team hotels, 19-year-old Miss Church's reputation for late nights and alcohol might make him think twice.

The Welsh diva is mutually enthusiastic about the reunion. A few days after saying goodbye to her boyfriend two weeks ago, she said: 'I miss him so much. There's no way I'm not going to New Zealand. I'm desperate to see him and I don't care what anyone else says.' Henson, 23, has been named in the Lions squad to meet Wellington on Wednesday, when Woodward hopes to eradicate memories of Saturday's humiliating defeat by the New Zealand Maori team.

The Welshman did not feature in that game but is tipped to play a big part in the Test series starting with the All Blacks in less than two weeks.

'I'm here to play rugby and Charlotte knows that,' he said, perhaps by way of reassurance to Sir Clive.

And to look good of course.