The Neath Port Talbot College student will be sitting his History A-level exam at the British Council in Barcelona as his teammates prepare for their fifth-place semi-final in Narbonne.
Much as the 19-year-old Osprey would love to be out there today, he is pragmatic about the situation. “Of course I’m disappointed to miss it, because it’s another cap and another chance to represent your country – one of the best things you can do – but you have to look longer term. I’ve put a lot of hard work into studying, so that would all be pointless if I pulled out now.”
What made the decision even more of a wrench was that this tournament in France will be his last outing for Wales U20. “This has been my first and only season of U20s,” he says. “Last year I spent time with the U18s, but didn’t get capped at that level and rightly so, because I don’t think I was ready. I’ve improved a lot this year with Aberavon and Ospreys, and I’m in much better condition.
“Aberavon want to play an expansive game, and they encourage you to have the ball in your hands regardless of the number on your shirt, which is something I really enjoy.”
Henry has put in the hard work – be it the hours spent training to play in the game’s most demanding position, or the mornings and nights with his nose in a book – and being out in France is as fine a reward as any.
He had started Wales’ opening two matches of the World Rugby U20 Championship – including that famous victory against the Junior Wallabies. Says Henry: “That was the biggest win I’ve ever been involved in. To beat a Southern Hemisphere side is massive, and we weren’t favourites. I think if we’re honest, looking in, people didn’t expect us to finish second in our group.
“It was likely to be New Zealand and then Australia. But I thought we played really well, looked the better team and deserved the win on that opening night.”
History is clearly his passion. It’s what he wants to study at university in Swansea, which would tie in with his Ospreys ambitions. He should be primed for his exam today, having taken part in the Wales U20 Annual Mastermind competition on Sunday (specialist subject: World War II).
At some point in the near future, he’d like to come back to France to do a tour of the D-Day beaches. “Even when I was younger, I told my mam that I wanted to visit Normandy,” Henry says, adding that teaching is a career option.
That said, home is where the heart is, and for Henry that’s the village of Cwmafan. “I love it there. The rugby club is at the heart of the community – although some would argue it’s the football club – and they’ve supported me since I started playing there donkey’s years ago. As long as I’m doing them proud, I’m doing alright.”
Wales U20 v Argentina U20 will be shown live across S4C’s terrestrial and digital channels.
