Henson appeal to be heard

Gavin Henson’s appeal against the ban he received for elbowing Leicester prop Alejandro Moreno will be heard by an independent committee on January 10.

Henson, the Ospreys and Wales centre, was found guilty of striking Moreno in Leicester’s 17-15 Heineken Cup victory on December 18 and suspended for 10 weeks and two days.

The Ospreys, urged on by Wales coach Mike Ruddock, lodged an official appeal yesterday hoping for a reduction in the length of the ban, which effectively rules him out of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations defence.

However, if the appeal fails Henson could be saddled with an extension to his spell on the sidelines.

The appeal committee will be chaired by Brian McLoughlin of the Irish Rugby Union and will also comprise of Philip Orr from Ireland and Mike Hamilton from England.