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Rugby Union

Henson suffers broken hand

06/12/2007

Ospreys and Wales centre Gavin Henson has been ruled out for up to six weeks after being diagnosed with a broken hand.

The 25-year-old scored all the points for his side as they won 19-8 at the Stoop against Harlequins to move into the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh EDF Energy Cup.

But it appears that in doing so he suffered a fracture to the fourth metacarpal in his left hand, confirmed by an X-ray this week.

Ospreys director of rugby Kevin Hopkins said the player and the club's medical staff had originally aimed to get Henson ready to play on Friday against Ulster in the Heineken Cup.

"But in the end we have decided that Gavin's long-term wellbeing is best served by him getting the hand properly sorted over the next few weeks," Hopkins continued.

"Gavin is an excellent rugby professional and no one works harder at their skills and conditioning than he does."

The injury means Henson is unlikely to play again in the group stages of Ospreys' European campaign.

But he should return in time to be considered for selection for Wales' opening Six Nations fixture against England at Twickenham on February 2nd - the first match of Warren Gatland's reign as the new Welsh coach.

Henson also hit the headlines earlier this week after he was forced to apologise to train passengers for the 'rowdy' behaviour of himself and his friends as they returned from London on Sunday.

The player, along with three other individuals, was met by British Transport police at Cardiff Central train station and questioned, although no arrests were made.

The club confirmed the matter would be dealt with internally.