Gavin Henson Factfile

We look back at the colourful career of rugby star Gavin Henson after his sacking by Cardiff Blues.

We look back at the colourful career of rugby star Gavin Henson after his sacking by Cardiff Blues. 1982: Born February 1 in Bridgend. 2000: Joins Swansea at the age of 18. 2001: Named the International Rugby Board's young player of the year. Wins first Wales cap on summer tour of Japan and makes first start against Romania in Cardiff in September. 2002: October 4 - Sent off after flinging Llanelli winger Garan Evans into an advertising hoarding. Swansea go on to lose the game 62-6. 2003: Misses out on selection for the World Cup in Australia. 2005: February 5 - Kicks the winning penalty as Wales beat England 11-9 at the Millennium Stadium. March 19: Part of the Wales side that completes a first Grand Slam for 27 years. March 26: Scores 24 points as the Ospreys seal the Celtic League title with victory over Edinburgh. April 11: Named in Sir Clive Woodward's squad for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. Plays in the second Test as the Lions are routed 3-0 by their hosts. October: Releases a book entitled 'My Grand Slam Year'. Comments about other players and life in the Wales camp saw him forced to apologise to his team-mates. December 19: Elbows Leicester prop Alex Moreno in a Heineken Cup game and serves a seven-week ban. 2006: February 26 - Just 12 days after Mike Ruddock's shock resignation as Wales coach, Henson comes off the bench as the visitors are trounced 31-5 by Ireland in Dublin. Henson later described himself as feeling "suicidal" over his performance. 2007: Misses out on World Cup selection following Achilles injury. December 10 - Charged with disorderly conduct over behaviour on a train after helping Ospreys beat Harlequins. The case is later dropped. 2008: Becomes a mainstay in new coach Warren Gatland's Wales side. March 15 - Part of Wales side that beats France 29-12 in Cardiff to win another Six Nations Grand Slam, but picks up an injury and misses the summer tour to South Africa. 2009: March 21 - Tastes defeat for the first time in a Six Nations match he has started as Ireland claim the Grand Slam with a 17-15 win in Cardiff. March 28: Suffers an ankle injury playing for the Ospreys against Gloucester which rules him out of the Lions tour to South Africa. August 29: It is revealed Henson is on indefinite, unpaid leave from the Ospreys. 2010: September 8: Named as a contestant on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. October 27: Released by Ospreys from the remainder of his contract, which ran until May 2011. October 28: Signs for Saracens. December 26: Comes off the bench to make his Saracens debut in the 13-6 victory over Wasps in the Aviva Premiership at Wembley. 2011: January 2 - Makes his only start for Saracens in the 28-22 defeat by Sale Sharks. February 2: Saracens agree to release Henson from his contract after just four appearances. February 3: Joins French Top 14 side Toulon. April 18: Following his second appearance in a victory over Toulouse, Henson is suspended by Toulon for a breach of club discipline. May 24: Toulon confirm earlier reports of Henson's departure. June 14: Channel 5 confirm Henson will star in new TV dating show, a UK version of the US hit The Bachelor. August 13: World Cup hopes come to an end because of a dislocated bone in his right wrist suffered in Wales' 19-9 win over England in Cardiff. October 18: Signs for Cardiff Blues. 2012: March 31 - Suspended by Cardiff Blues following an incident on the flight back from Scotland after their match against Glasgow Warriors the previous night, he later apologises for his behaviour. April 2: Cardiff Blues confirm they have dismissed Henson with immediate effect.