Injury rules Henson out for six weeks

GAVIN HENSON’S chances of touring with the Lions this summer could be over after he was ruled out for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Henson, 27, injured his right ankle during Ospreys’ 17-0 EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat to Gloucester at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan names his touring party on April 21 and Ospreys physio Chris Towers last night confirmed that Henson is unlikely to play again until at least early May.

“At this stage we are predicting a four to six week spell on the sidelines,” said Towers.

Henson will miss the Ospreys' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster on April 12.

With McGeechan taking a trimmed-down squad of around 35 to South Africa, he is unlikely to gamble on any player’s fitness.