Ospreys silent on mystery ban for Wales star Henson
Henson has been axed from the Welsh region’s opening Heineken Cup games against Leicester and Perpignan. And the suspension could also impact on his immediate international prospects, given that last season’s RBS Six Nations champions launch their autumn campaign against South Africa in just four weeks.
The high-profile centre has been omitted from tomorrow’s Welford Road clash — and Perpignan’s Swansea visit this day week — because of what the Ospreys term “a rugby-related disciplinary decision.”
No further explanation was given for their shock move, which comes less than a week after Henson made his first start of the season, returning from an ankle injury during Ospreys’ narrow EDF Energy Cup victory over Harlequins.
It’s understood Henson might have been punished following a disagreement over his training schedule this week.
Henson, understandably, looked rusty during the Quins encounter after six months out. But his absence this weekend comes despite the Ospreys having lost his midfield partner Sonny Parker due to a chest muscle injury.
The Ospreys last night dismissed suggestions of Henson’s punishment being linked to any training schedule disagreement. And the player gave his first public reaction to the suspension. Henson said: “Having received feedback from team management earlier in the week as part of a review of the Ospreys’ last home game, I reacted poorly and additionally took unauthorised leave to consider the matters raised.
“Having signed up to the Ospreys’ code of conduct introduced earlier this year, I was part of a disciplinary decision from the Ospreys leadership group which consists of senior players and rugby management. I fully accept this decision and entirely support the penalty imposed, and very much look forward to rejoining my team-mates on the field.”
Ospreys head coach Sean Holley has handed Andrew Bishop Henson’s number 12 shirt, with former Ulster wing Tommy Bowe featuring at outside centre.
Henson’s lack of match practice is likely to concern Wales boss Warren Gatland. Henson, twice a Grand Slam winner, will now have only two matches to sharpen his form ahead of Wales facing the Springboks — Ospreys’ EDF appointments with Worcester on October 26 and London Irish seven days later.
Gatland is due to name his squad on October 21 for Wales’ November programme, which also features Millennium Stadium appointments with Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The Ospreys, meanwhile, are determined to make a major statement in Europe this term after suffering a dire Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat against Saracens last April.
That fixture provided Henson’s last start before the Quins game. The Ospreys though, clearly believe they can put the Henson issue behind them this weekend.
Holley said: “We have made a very positive start to our season, and are starting to see the fruits of the players’ hard work during pre-season. Like all professional rugby outfits, we have had injuries to contend with, but the squad is in very good shape going into this competition and we are ready for the challenge.”
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