BARBARIANS assistant coach Scott Johnson believes Gavin Henson can recapture his best form after making his return to Test rugby in Wales’ 31-28 defeat to the invitational side at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Henson, making a first appearance for his country since the RBS 6 Nations finale against Ireland in 2009, looked understandably rusty as he tries to adjust to being back at the game’s highest level, although he did create Wales’ opening try for wing George North with a wide, and suspiciously forward, pass.

The 29-year-old was then named in Wales coach Warren Gatland’s preliminary 45-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand in the immediate aftermath of the contest.

And Johnson believes Henson can eventually reproduce the form that made him an integral part of the Grand Slam-winning sides of 2005 and 2008 as he looks to be involved in the game’s global showpiece for the first time.

Former Wales caretaker coach Johnson, who was Henson’s boss at the Ospreys until the wantaway star headed to Saracens, said: “To be fair he hasn’t played a lot. It’s not the Gavin of old, I think that’s clear to see, but it doesn’t mean he can’t get back there.

“He has played limited rugby and it showed in some cases, but he is a quality player and he has a bit of time in his favour, but that’s for someone else to worry about now.”