WHILE waiting for a turn on a five-a-side pitch in Liverpool almost two decades ago there was a player out in the middle making things look ridiculously easy.

It was Mike Marsh and the pure 'thwack' when former professional midfielder with Liverpool, West Ham, Coventry and Galatasaray connected with the ball was so pleasing on the ear.

At the same time Richard Gough was proving that age was no barrier a few miles away at Goodison Park.

When the Scotland great made his Everton debut against champions Manchester United he slotted into the heart of the defence next to Dave Watson, the duo having a combined age of over 75 years.

Gough would prove to be an inspired signing in a far-from-inspirational era for the Toffees, the teak defender showing that he still had something left in the tank.

Newport Gwent Dragons will hope that the same is the case for Gavin Henson after the former Wales and Lions playmaker penned a two-year deal that sees him head for Rodney Parade in the summer.

When Marsh was making things look easy he was against a group of relative cloggers who were rosy-cheeked from their exertions. Henson still has the ability to make things look easy when against fellow professionals.

A new addition to the rugby management phrasebook is talking about painting the right pictures for the referee at the set piece but there's nothing quite like the art of a glorious pass from the double Grand Slam winner.

There was a wonderful moment when London Welsh played Saracens five years ago where he drew three defenders towards him before floating the ball over another opponent from midfield to the left flank where his winger didn't have to check his stride before going on the rampage to set up a try.

Similarly last month Henson possessed the little deft touches for Bristol against Bath to suggest that his presence will enable Hallam Amos, Ashton Hewitt, Tyler Morgan, Zane Kirchner and others to thrive at Rodney Parade next season.

His yo-yo test results may not be what they were and he might not bench press quite as much, but his distribution and game knowhow remain qualities that the Dragons desperately need.

Henson can still teach the art of doing the right thing at the right time, all with a touch of grace.

Not only that, he is a good kicking option and solid defender when not exposed in the wider channels.

Of course only time will tell in terms of Henson being a hit, miss or mixture of both at the Dragons and it's undeniably a little bit of a punt.

He will be 37 when the contract comes to an end and the region have had their fair share of gambles; for every Colin Charvis there has been an Andy Powell.

We must wait to see if Henson will be an on-field hit, he is already making his mark off the field.

The signing has already captured the attention of the rugby world and beyond; the press brigade at the 2017 team picture is unlikely to be just me and a couple of photographers.

Henson is box office and, with respect to the current squad, ensures the Dragons have a poster boy sadly missing since the exit of Taulupe Faletau.

Nobody is expecting Henson to be as dashing as he was in 2005 or 2008 but if he can combine a few on-field moments with being a mentor – and he is known for being a hard worker and good professional – then the Dragons are on to a winner.

There are those that love to ridicule Henson, and some have always been threatened by him daring to be different, but speak as you find and in my limited dealings with him he has been polite and articulate.

Henson is an intriguing, fascinating signing and he has pledged that he has "loads to offer". He's already delivering on that promise by bringing a buzz to Rodney Parade even while he is still on the books of Bristol.

South Wales Argus:

EDDIE Jones may beg to differ if there are English smiles at the Aviva Stadium, but there will be no super Saturday in the Six Nations this year.

Wales’ win against Ireland and Scotland’s meek surrender at England in round four ensured that the trophy will be staying in the Twickenham trophy cabinet.

Television bosses will be slightly disappointed that the 12.30pm and 2.45pm games this weekend will feature teams jostling for positions rather than the title ahead of the Irish attempt to deny a Grand Slam at 5pm.

But while it won’t be another super Saturday of twists and turns like in 2015, it has been a cracker of a Championship.

Every weekend has featured at least one magnificent Test with the Scotland-Ireland clash setting a wonderful tone. Only fixtures featuring Italy have been something of a turn-off, and even they now carry the added spice of keeping Georgia on the agenda.

There has been wonderful rugby and attacking endeavour to go along with the usual tribalism and the tournament has proved that bonus points are an afterthought.

Denying a team a losing consolation has not come into play while it’s only been the closing stages of the fixtures in Rome and against the Irish that it’s even dawned on Rob Howley’s team that they could bag a first five-point haul.

The Six Nations is still about the win and the loss.

In terms of performance, Wales have gone from a professional job in Rome to a wonderful display in defeat to England to a shocker in Edinburgh and then a courageous, encouraging victory against the Irish.

They will attempt to hit that emotional high again in Paris on Saturday to sign off on a positive note after a slightly puzzling campaign.

Wales can be the most frustratingly reactive team while there remain fears about the depth of the squad halfway through the World Cup cycle.

While there is a glut of back row talent that can't break into the matchday 23, there are concerns about midfield, the back three (although a fit-again Hallam Amos help there) and scrum-half behind Rhys Webb. Perhaps the summer Tests against Tonga and Samoa while the Lions are away will ease those nerves.