Henson withdraws from Wales' tour to Argentina

Gavin Henson has withdrawn from Wales’ two-Test summer tour to Argentina in order to regain full fitness ahead of next year’s World Cup.

The Ospreys centre missed the first half of this season after undergoing a groin operation and still feels some way short of peak condition.

Henson discussed the situation with new Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, and the decision was taken to withdraw him from the squad.

He said: “I need to get my body back into the shape it was before last year’s injury.

“I don’t feel quite ready for international rugby at the moment, my speed times are down on what they were and I prefer my playing weight to be heavier than it currently is.

“Whilst I obviously don’t want to let my team-mates or Wales fans down. I have talked closely with Gareth Jenkins, and the rest of the management team, and we have all agreed that the best thing for me to be doing at the moment is getting my body back into the shape it was before the groin injury last year.”

Henson joins fellow senior internationals Martyn Williams, Steven Jones, Robert Sidoli and Michael Owen in being rested for the tour.

The likes of Gareth Thomas, Dwayne Peel, Brent Cockbain and Ryan Jones were all overlooked due to injury.