Wales international Gavin Henson has been handed a surprise reprieve by Toulon.

The 29-year-old was officially welcomed back into the Toulon squad this morning following an announcement by club owner Mourad Boudjellal.

It had been expected that Henson would be shown the door after being suspended for a week following a reported night-club altercation with team-mates.

French newspaper L'Equipe reported last week that Boudjellal had made up his mind to terminate Henson's short-term contract - he was only signed until the end of this season - but it seems the Toulon hierarchy have had second thoughts.

Whether that was to do with French employment law, Henson's regret or a clarification of what actually happened remains something of a mystery.

What is certain, however, is that the former Ospreys and Saracens player is now back in the Toulon fold and could even play in their must-win final league game against Montpellier on Saturday. Should Toulon win that then Henson could be in line for a further two matches as Toulon would have qualified for the Top 14 play-offs.

That would be a welcome development for the talented inside centre as he seeks to force his way into contention for a spot in Wales' World Cup squad.

Toulon head coach Philippe Saint-Andrel has previously been quoted as saying that it was unlikely the club would extend Henson's current deal beyond this season as he would miss a large chunk of the beginning of the 2011/12 campaign if he succeeds in getting picked by Wales for the World Cup.

But all that remains speculation at present following the Toulon statement on Monday.

"This morning, the president Mourad Boudjellal and his staff at Toulon Rugby Club have decided on the reintegration of the Welsh centre Gavin Henson into the rugby group," read the statement. "He is therefore part of the rugby playing process."

News of Henson's "reintegration" comes just hours after the club was linked with two more potential big-name signings, in the shape of England reject Danny Cipriani and All Black winger Joe Rokocoko.

Weekend reports in the English media suggested Cipriani was being lined up as World Cup cover for Jonny Wilkinson.

The 23-year-old was said to be in negotiations with the big-spending French club as it seeks to find a suitable replacement for Wilkinson (and Australian Matt Giteau) for the first three months of next season.

Top 14 Transfers for 2011/12

Cipriani is unlikely to feature in England's World Cup plans after falling out with coach Martin Johnson. His subsequent decision to join Super 15 franchise Melbourne Rebels further distanced him from an England recall.

Cipriani would certainly bring plenty of baggage if he jetted in from Australia, but he may see it as both a lucrative and sensible move as he attempts to get back on the England radar. His rugby commitments in Australia will leave him with a six-month window at the end of the current season - Melbourne won't make the play-offs - and he's sure to enjoy life down on the glamorous Cote d'Azur.

Toulon team manager Tom Whitford was cautious in his comments on the rumoured deal, but he significantly did not dismiss them.

"We are in contact with a lot of players in France and abroad. Danny has a good pedigree but it is all speculation at the moment," he told BBC Sport.

"We are looking for a 10 who can play in the Top 14 during the World Cup," confirmed Whitford. "We are in contact with numerous players. I can't confirm as such whether we have been in contact with Cipriani's representatives or not, but he is obviously a talented player, and we try to sign talented players who could bring a lot to them team," he said.

But Whitford also appeared to voice caution, perhaps in light of their experiences with Henson, when he added: "Cipriani is a high-profile player, not just on the pitch but off it as well. We would like to concentrate on players performing on the pitch, but of course he is a good player, he has a good pedigree and he has played for England."

Should Cipriani join Toulon it would be the latest twin in his symbiotic relationship with Wilkinson. It was the young Cipriani who was tipped to usurp Wilkinson as England's first-choice fly-half and all appeared to be going to plan when the then London Wasps player made a dramatic start to his international career two years ago.

Many saw him as the heir apparent, but that is not how it has worked out. Wilkinson has, indeed, dropped down the England pecking order to the role of star replacement, but is Leicester's Toby Flood who has stolen his crown rather than Cipriani.

The latter opted for a two-year contract with Super 15 newcomers Melbourne Rebels after being jettisoned by Johnson and hounded by the British tabloid press. By all accounts he is now happy with life in Australia, although his brushes with the media continue.

Toulon were also linked with yet another international superstar at the weekend as reports from Australia suggested they were trying to sign All Blacks winger Rokocoko to join them after the World Cup.

WA Today claimed Rokocoko, who is off-contract with the NZRU after the World Cup, is a target for both Toulon and Stade Toulousain.

It said Toulouse were looking to sign a big-name winger to go alongside their other recent recruits Lionel Beauxis, Luke McAlister and Luke Burgess, while Toulon are on the hunt for a replacement following confirmation that Rudi Wulf - another one-time All Blacks winger - would be heading home after just one season for personal reasons.

Toulon have previously tried to sign Rokocoko but were rebuffed by the player as he wanted to represent the All Blacks in this year's World Cup - which is being played in New Zealand. But once that tournament has finished many of the older crop of All Blacks are expected to take up the offer of lucrative club contracts in Europe.

Fellow winger Sitiveni Sivivatu has already signed for Top 14 champions Clermont Auvergne, while McAlister has joined Toulouse. Lesser lights John Schwalger (SU Agen) and veteran Bruce Reihana (Union Bordeaux-Bègles) have also penned deals with French clubs, while rumours persist that Neemia Tialata is heading to Top 14 as well.