The 24-year-old Waratah is a natural fly-half, but he has also proved his versatility at full-back, inside centre and even scrum-half.
And after 22 minutes the 31-year-old was sent on for the injured McCann, moving into the centre-half position in a re-jigged Caley back line.
Henson, who can play at fly-half, full-back and inside centre, has not played since injuring his ankle in March 2009 and has been on unpaid leave from the Ospreys since August 2009.
They would also lose centre-back Fabricio Coloccini to a groin injury before half-time.
"As long as I am playing, I am happy, whether it's centre, outside-half or full-back, " Hook said.
The Irish Under-19 international started out in the heart of the midfield for a long spell before moving back to centre-half last season.
Saha, on his 200th Premier League appearance, controlled the ball and struck it low beyond the advancing James after a pass from the half-way line eluded centre-back Younes Kaboul.
The Georgia international, who has 55 caps, is comfortable at full-back or centre-half and goes straight into the Magpies squad for the visit of Plymouth Argyle to the North East on Saturday.
McGeechan has chosen a proven combination, all from the Ospreys, in the back three, but the partnerships of Roberts and Earls at centre, O'Gara and Blair at half-back, and Shaw and O'Connell at lock, will be tried for the first time.
The centre added to Lee Smith's opening try as Leeds took a 22-10 half-time lead, with additional scores from full-back Brent Webb and centre Carl Ablett.
The second-half was just as intense, exploding into life when full-back Briscoe and centre Welham put Rovers into an 18-12 lead.
Behind the scrum, wing Mark Jones returns from a knee injury and there are call-ups for Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart and Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop, while James Hook starts at fly-half.
Hook's chances at fly-half have been hampered by his adaptability, with Wales using him at full-back and centre when injuries have bitten.
Scrum-half Shaun Perry is out injured but Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson, Gloucester centre Mike Tindall and club team-mate Iain Balshaw are all fit again and back in favour.
Full-back Leon MacDonald, wings Rico Gear and Caleb Ralph, centre Luke McAlister and scrum-half Piri Weepu have featured in the past two years.
Centre-half Isaac Vorsah in particular looked very authoritative at the back for Ghana.
Jonathan Davies' hamstring strain means James Hook moves from fly-half to centre to win his 50th cap and Stephen Jones is back for his 98th cap at 10.
Alternatively, Ashton might decide to start with Mike Catt or Andy Farrell at number 10, with the other playing centre, although he would then have no back-up fly-half cover on the bench.
Centre-back Antar Yahia settled the contest with a stunning first-half volley at an angle eight yards out from Karim Ziani's punt into the box.
"If Jonny had come back as captain at outside-half with a new centre combination outside him, it could have been a disadvantage for England, " explained Ruddock.
BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | Six Nations | Davies backs Wales over Wilkinson
Centre-back Curtis Davies headed a dominant City in front in first-half stoppage time before Marlon King raced clear after the break to make it 2-0.
Adrift 20-14 at half-time, the All Blacks hit back with a try from centre Dave Tiueti only for Vale to respond immediately through flanker Gareth Green.
With half-time approaching, Collison appeared to shove Nugent in the back in the centre of the area, sparking a fruitless penalty claim by the Clarets forward.
Toby Flood replaces Charlie Hodgson at fly-half, Jamie Noon partners Mike Tindall at centre while Mathew Tait and Tom Varndell come into the back three.
Centre-back Hendry, revelling in the muddy trenches, started it by robbing Flo just inside the Coventry half and kept running after funnelling the ball forward to Noel Whelan.
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