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Henson to miss England clash

Henson has suffered a blow in his quest to battle his way back into international contention © PA Photos

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Gavin Henson has been ruled out of Wales' opening Six Nations clash with England with a calf tear.

The Saracens centre limped off after coming on as a replacement during Saturday's 43-20 Heineken Cup hammering at the hands of Leinster and following a scan he has been ruled out of action for three weeks. The diagnosis means that he will be unavailable for Wales' clash with their old rivals at the Millennium Stadium on February 4.

The 28-year-old has been desperate to get as much game time under his belt as possible in an effort to prove to coach Warren Gatland that he merits a rapid recall to the national set-up having only returned from a 20-month self-imposed exile from the game on Boxing Day. But it would appear his hopes may have been extinguished by this injury setback, particularly as coach Warren Gatland is not short of midfield options with James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin and Jonathan Davies all available.

Gatland, who is set to name his latest squad on January 24, is also awaiting scan results on Ospreys tight-head Adam Jones after he was forced out of their clash with London Irish due to an elbow injury. Wales have already been stripped of the services of loose-head Gethin Jenkins and centre Andrew Bishop through injury and scrum-half Richie Rees due to a suspension.

Henson was not the only name on a lengthy injury list for Sarries after their abject display at the RDS in Dublin. Fiji back Michael Tagicakibau is also out for three weeks with a hamstring tear while lock Hugh Vyvyan is out for a fortnight after spraining an ankle.

Former England skipper Steve Borthwick will undergo a scan later today on the shoulder injury he picked up as Sarries look to bounce back when they host Clermont Auvergne in their final Pool Two clash on Friday night.

A Saracens statement read, "Following Saracens Heineken Cup match against Leinster on Saturday, a number of the squad were injured during the game. Gavin Henson (calf tear) and Michael Tagicakibau (hamstring tear) have both been ruled out for three weeks.

"Hugh Vyvyan sprained his ankle and will be missing for two weeks while captain Steve Borthwick will have a scan later today on a shoulder injury. David Strettle left the field midway through the second half but has been given the all clear while Chris Wyles will return after missing the last month with a fractured cheekbone."

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