Mike Ruddock last night admitted Wales' hopes of retaining their Six Nations title had suffered another telling blow with the loss of prop Chris Horsman.

The Worcester tighthead will undergo ankle surgery to correct a long-standing problem on Thursday and is unlikely to play again this season.

Horsman, who qualified to play for Wales on residency grounds in October, emerged as an integral part of Ruddock's Six Nations plans after breaking into the side during the autumn internationals.

Ruddock will be hoping for better news concerning Lions centre Gavin Henson who will today appeal his 72-day suspension for elbowing during Ospreys' European Cup defeat against Leicester before Christmas.

A three-man panel, which includes former Ireland and Lions prop Phil Orr, will hear Henson's appeal at the European Rugby Cup offices in Dublin.

Ruddock has already lost Grand Slam stars Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones and Kevin Morgan to injury, while Tom Shanklin remains a major doubt as he continues to recover from a knee problem.

The Japan Rugby Union have denied any involvement in the legal attempt made last week to have the result of the 2011 World Cup vote annulled.

The International Rugby Board received a letter from an English firm of solicitors, supposedly sent on behalf of the Asian Rugby Football Union of which Japan is a member, threatening legal action unless a new vote takes place before March 31st.

Both the ARFU and the JRFU have also denied any official involvement. The IRB have received assurances from the ARFU that the person who instructed the firm of solicitors to act "did not have the constitutional authority to do so".

The ARFU have written to the firm, instructing "they must cease and desist purporting to act for and on behalf of the Asian Rugby Football Union".