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Rugby Union

Dragons to leave Henson at home

31/07/2007

Centre Gavin Henson has been ruled out of Wales' World Cup squad after failing to prove his fitness to coach Gareth Jenkins.

In a statement on the Welsh Rugby Union's website Jenkins said that with the August 14th deadline for the naming of squads looming, Henson was "no longer in contention".

The 25-year-old Ospreys star has been blighted by injury problems over the past two years, including with his pelvis, knee, Achilles tendon and toes.

"We have given him every opportunity to make it and it has been a tough summer for Gav in which he has worked hard," Jenkins said.

"He's had every opportunity we could have given him, but the recent Achilles injury in particular has meant he's not been able to train at full pelt and that has reflected in his conditioning. I think we all agree he is not where he needs to be."

Jenkins, who also today named his side to face England at Twickenham this Saturday, said that Henson had been "very understanding" of his decision.

"It was a tough call but a call that was necessary and one we had to make sooner rather than later for his sake as well as ours," he said.

"He's been unlucky, he's a talent we know that, but a talent is one thing. Current form and being as fit as everyone else is equally important, but Gav is not having the bounce; he's not having the luck."

But Jenkins insists that the door is slightly ajar should Wales suffer an injury crisis ahead of this autumn's World Cup in France.

"If his form is good and he's improved on fitness between now and September then he'll have a chance. Anything can happen in a World Cup and we may still need him yet if we get an injury," he added.

Henson meanwhile said it was "extremely disappointing" to have missed out on a World Cup squad place.

"All I can do now is train hard, get back to the Ospreys get my fitness back, get my form back and make myself available if called upon," he said.

"I'm only 25, I believe I'm still young and if I don't feature in this World Cup I hope I can feature in the next," he added.

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