Henson ruled out

Wales star Gavin Henson's international comeback is on hold until at least the RBS 6 Nations Championship in February after he was ruled out of the autumn Test series due to an ongoing Achilles problem.

He was due to play against world champions South Africa last Saturday, but withdrew from the Wales line-up less than 24 hours before kick-off.

Ospreys centre Henson, 26, was not considered for this Friday night's meeting with Canada, and he will now also miss Tests against New Zealand on Saturday week and Australia seven days later.

Henson is expected to be sidelined for a month while he undergoes what the Welsh Rugby Union has termed "a period of rehabilitation on his problematic Achilles".

Henson's ankle was scanned yesterday and he had an injection from specialists to help alleviate the injury.

He has been troubled by the Achilles problem for several months, and last played for Wales in their Six Nations title-clinching victory over France in March.

Henson suffered a serious ankle injury while on Ospreys' Heineken Cup duty in April - in addition to the continuing Achilles complaint - and he has only started three games this season.

"Consultations with UK specialists yesterday led us to conclude that an injection, followed by a specific rehabilitation protocol which will take place over the next few weeks, was the best way forward," said Wales team physiotherapist Mark Davies.

"Gavin has now had his injection and will be out of action for approximately one month.

"He has been given an injury-specific training programme to follow in that time, which should provide a resolution to his problem."