Manics bassist Nicky Wire says Gavin Henson is rugby's first rock star.
The 36-year-old Welshman has paid tribute to the Lions hero, saying he has an "aura of genius".
"He has that sense of cool," said Wire. "He's an icon who crosses all the boundaries in the way David Beckham did.
"He's got rock star quality and he's going out with one of the most eligible women in Britain. Image in sport is not a problem for me.
"You have the Martin Johnsons at one end of the scale and at the other you can have the Gavin Hensons."
Rugby-obsessed Wire, from Blackwood, also brushed off criticism of Henson's showbiz lifestyle.
He said: "People go on about his relationship with Charlotte Church and I suppose it could be destructive, but you should go with the flow when things feel right.
"He's headed for superstardom whatever happens, but he seems intelligent - rugby players are as a rule.
"I believe that Charlotte is as real as he is. There's nothing manufactured about either of them, but because she's a personality she attracts a lot of criticism.
"As long as he plays well no-one will care, but it becomes harder under the spotlight."
Manics bassist Nicky Wire says Gavin Henson is rugby's first rock star.
The 36-year-old Welshman has paid tribute to the Lions hero, saying he has an "aura of genius".
"He has that sense of cool," said Wire. "He's an icon who crosses all the boundaries in the way David Beckham did.
"He's got rock star quality and he's going out with one of the most eligible women in Britain. Image in sport is not a problem for me.
"You have the Martin Johnsons at one end of the scale and at the other you can have the Gavin Hensons."
Rugby-obsessed Wire, from Blackwood, also brushed off criticism of Henson's showbiz lifestyle.
He said: "People go on about his relationship with Charlotte Church and I suppose it could be destructive, but you should go with the flow when things feel right.
"He's headed for superstardom whatever happens, but he seems intelligent - rugby players are as a rule.
"I believe that Charlotte is as real as he is. There's nothing manufactured about either of them, but because she's a personality she attracts a lot of criticism.
"As long as he plays well no-one will care, but it becomes harder under the spotlight."
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