Henson 'suspended' for Euro opener
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:18
Wales' midfield maestro Gavin Henson has been dramatically omitted from the Ospreys' opening Heineken Cup match against Leicester at Welford Road on Sunday, following an internal two-match suspension.
The high-profile Osprey centre has been axed due to a "rugby-related disciplinary decision", although the Welsh region offered no further explanation for their shock move.
This comes just 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 last weekend.
Henson's absence for Sunday's Pool Three opener against the Tigers comes despite the Ospreys having lost his midfield partner, Sonny Parker - who suffered a pectoral muscle injury during the Quins clash and has been ruled out for up to four weeks.
Nonetheless, Ospreys coach Sean Holley is feeling optimistic about the Euro opener against their English rivals.
"Everybody within the Ospreys camp is looking forward to renewing what has become a healthy rivalry with Leicester," said Holley.
"We have the utmost respect for their playing and coaching staff, and for what the club has achieved over the years, and in particular in the Heineken Cup.
"They've made a good start to the current season and are playing some great rugby under their new coach Heyneke [Meyer]. We know that we can expect a real test on Sunday. We see Welford Road as being a great place to start this year's campaign, there will be a great atmosphere there as always.
"We have made a very positive start to our own 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," he added.
Included in those injury setbacks are Kristian Phillips (shoulder), Cai Griffiths (ankle), Jamie Nutbrown (midtarsal/ foot), Gareth Owen (ankle), Mike Phillips (anterior cruciate ligament) and Ben Lewis (knee).
Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Rhodri Wells, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Filo Tiatia, 20 Tom Smith, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Daniel Biggar.
Date: Sunday, October 12
Venue: Welford Road
Kick-off: 13.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: David Wilkinson (Ireland), S Flannery (Ireland)
TMO: B Fitzgerald (Ireland)
With thanks to ospreysrugby.com
