Twinkle-toes Gavin Henson ready to play again

Wales coach Gatland last year said that he would only consider players for selection if they stayed in Wales, but has since softened that stance.

Wasps are in action at Newcastle in the Aviva Premiership tonight and director of rugby Tony Hanks has made five changes, creating the tallest second row combination in the history of the club.
Simon Shaw, 6ft 9ins, is paired with England U20s Grand Slam winner James Cannon, 6ft 8ins, who has joined the club from Northampton where his father, lock Vince was one of their longest serving forwards.

Cannon takes over from Richard Birkett who is recovering from a hyperextension of the elbow sustained in the draw with Harlequins at Twickenham, a match that also saw Phil Vickery ruled out of selection with an ankle injury and centre Dominic Waldouck sidelined by a cut hand.

Samoan international prop Zak Taulafo takes over from Vickery, Riki Flutey moves to centre to replace Waldouck with Dave Walder taking over at No10 while Dan Ward-Smith trades places with Joe Worsley in the back row. Worsley in amongst the replacements along with Charlie Beech, Steve Kefu and David Lemi who are all back after injury.

Hanks said: "We have taken a lot of positives from the Quins game and will be eager to build on our performance. We did pick up a few injuries with Birkett, Waldouck and Vickery all ruled out , but the depth running throughout the squad this season still allows us to name a strong 23 man squad and have confidence going into the game."

Meanwhile, Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans has signed a two-year contract extension with the club.

Evans, who won 16 caps for New Zealand, has pledged his career at the Twickenham Stoop until at least 2013. He joined Quins, who are at home to Northampton, from Auckland Blues two years ago, establishing himself among the most effective overseas signings made by an English club during rugby union's professional era
"Harlequins allow me to play the style of rugby that I believe brings out the best in me as a player," he said.

"We have a great team here at Quins and I am happy on and off the pitch."