Heineken Cup
Ospreys focused on life without Henson
Scrum.com
September 29, 2009
Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis and Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones pose with the Heineken Cup during the 2009 tournament launch at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, September 29, 2009
Ryan Jones (R) has urged his Ospreys team-mates to look past the absence of Gavin Henson © Getty Images
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Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones has called for his team-mates to look past the absence of star centre Gavin Henson when they get their Heineken Cup campaign underway against last season's beaten finalists Leicester at Welford Road on October 11.

Henson has been omitted from the Ospreys' training squad for the group stages of the tournament after being granted indefinite leave to recover from persistent injury problems. Jones maintains that Henson's absence is not affecting concentration in the squad, who have made a slow start to their Magners League campaign.

"Gavin hasn't been training with us and you can't include someone in the squad if they haven't been training," he said. "I haven't spoken to him for a while but he's been in contact with a few of the boys and the management.

"I'm just getting on with it and will catch up with him soon. The situation with him is not a distraction for the team or myself. There are people far higher up the food chain who are dealing with it. There's so much else to focus on. The boys we have got are working really hard and we've got to move on from Gavin. We can't dwell on him or use his situation as an excuse for anything that happens."

Henson's injury problems have been well documented, with certain voices in Wales suggesting a move to rugby league may be on the cards once he recovers his fitness. Jones hopes that Henson is fit to return as soon as possible and is able to help the Ospreys push on to new heights in Europe.

"I like Gav as a person and think he's a world class rugby player. When he's on form he's a huge plus to have in the squad," he said. "I sincerely hope he gets himself sorted and returns as quickly as possible so that he can show what's he's capable of. He's a big loss because he's a big personality and character. You need people like that in a competition like the Heineken Cup."

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