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Cape Town - Bath boss Mike Ford says controversial centre Gavin Henson has been told to stay away from alcohol if he wants to rebuild his career.
The 31-year-old Welshman, who has been capped 33 times by his country, joined Bath from London Welsh in June.
Shortly after his arrival he was involved in a bar brawl with fellow Bath team-mate Carl Fearns. Henson was sent sprawling to the floor in the incident which led to the two players being warned and fined by the English club.
Henson indicated he was eager to draw a line beneath the incident in an attempt to revive his career.
However, Ford has warned Henson to improve his off-field behaviour, urging him to stay away from alcohol.
"My heart did sink when it happened," Ford told The Independent website.
"I worked with Gavin on the Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005 and found him a really nice lad - shy, hard-working and very committed to his rugby. When we were reacquainted earlier in the summer, he struck me as being exactly the same. So yes, the incident was pretty disappointing. Basically he knows he can't be found with another drink in his hand.
"A massive point in all this was what the players felt about it, and they decided as a group that they wanted to help Gavin become a part of things here," he added.
Henson, who can also play flyhalf, has failed to live up to his early promise and was previously released by the Cardiff Blues and French side Toulon for off-field indiscretions.
The 31-year-old Welshman, who has been capped 33 times by his country, joined Bath from London Welsh in June.
Shortly after his arrival he was involved in a bar brawl with fellow Bath team-mate Carl Fearns. Henson was sent sprawling to the floor in the incident which led to the two players being warned and fined by the English club.
Henson indicated he was eager to draw a line beneath the incident in an attempt to revive his career.
However, Ford has warned Henson to improve his off-field behaviour, urging him to stay away from alcohol.
"My heart did sink when it happened," Ford told The Independent website.
"I worked with Gavin on the Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005 and found him a really nice lad - shy, hard-working and very committed to his rugby. When we were reacquainted earlier in the summer, he struck me as being exactly the same. So yes, the incident was pretty disappointing. Basically he knows he can't be found with another drink in his hand.
"A massive point in all this was what the players felt about it, and they decided as a group that they wanted to help Gavin become a part of things here," he added.
Henson, who can also play flyhalf, has failed to live up to his early promise and was previously released by the Cardiff Blues and French side Toulon for off-field indiscretions.
