Henson’s first-half strike set the Ospreys on their way to a crucial EDF Energy Cup bonus-point triumph over Worcester following a two-match ban.
Nikki Walker, Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe also scorched over for the holders and there was 17 points from James Hook in an emphatic attacking show at the Liberty Stadium.
But Wales coach Warren Gatland will have been delighted following Henson’s first touchdown since last season’s semi-final win against Saracens back in March.
Henson himself admitted prior to this Anglo-Welsh clash that he was surprised to be included in Gatland’s 32-man squad to face southern hemisphere giants South Africa, New Zealand and Australian next month following just one full game in six months.
But he insisted: “I feel ready for the challenge and I will now have to repay the faith in the Wales coaching staff for believing in me.”
And how the golden boy of Welsh rugby delivered to began paying back his supporters with a fine try on the stroke of half-time.
Hook’s long pass put Henson in space before the 26-year-old star centre produced a lovely dummy on legendary Australian full-back Chris Latham to glide over.
Former Ospreys fly-half Matthew Jones broke the deadlock with a routine penalty goal but went from hero to zero three minutes later when he was yellow-carded for killing the ball.
Hook took full advantage with two penalties before the Ospreys grabbed their first try in more than three hours following European shutouts versus Leicester Tigers and Perpignan.
Neat work by full-back Lee Byrne allowed Walker to crash over in the 32nd minute before Henson punished poor Worcester defending for the second.
Williams’ clinical finish on 44 minutes extended the Ospreys lead and although Sam Tuitupou gave the reigning champions a fright, Irish flyer Bowe killed off any hopes of a shock win deep into injury-time to set up a winner-takes-all Pool C clash at London Irish next Sunday.
