Rugby:Wales star Gavin Henson's World Cup dream is in ruins after undergoing surgery on a dislocated bone in his right wrist. Although the Welsh Rugby Union have not ruled him out of the tournament, which kicks off in New Zealand on September 9th, Henson faces a recovery period of six to eight weeks.
The 29-year-old went off during the first half of yesterday’s 19-9 victory over England in Cardiff. Even if he recovers in six weeks, Wales’ pool campaign will be well under way by then. Coach Warren Gatland is due to name his 30-man World Cup squad on August 22nd.
If, as appears inevitable, Gatland does not name Henson in the original party, then he could only play a part in the competition by replacing an injured player.
Henson has never played in a World Cup, being overlooked by then Wales coach Steve Hansen in 2003, and failing to recover in time from injury four years later.
“Gavin underwent surgery this morning at the Vale Hospital to correct the dislocation to a bone in his right wrist,” Prav Mathema, the WRU’s national medical performance manager.
“He has been given a return to play time of six to eight weeks which, while ruling him out of selection for the initial World Cup squad, could see him available to the coaches while we are still in the pool stages of the tournament.
“With that fact in mind, Gavin will remain under the care of the Wales national squad medical staff in order to ensure that he returns to fitness at the earliest opportunity in case the coaches need to call him out to New Zealand for any reason.”
Henson, who is currently without a club after spells at Saracens and Toulon last season, impressed during his 30 minutes on the pitch. He had said beforehand he felt he needed to do something “pretty special” to make Gatland’s squad, but injury has now dashed those hopes.
