 Gavin Henson had targeted a return to action by mid-October |
Star centre Gavin Henson has been ruled out of Wales' autumn Test series. The 23-year-old is recovering from surgery on a long-standing groin injury but his regional side say he will not be fit for the four November Tests.
He will also miss the Ospreys' opening Heineken Cup games against French sides Stade Francais and Clermont Auvergne.
"He will be going through an intensive conditioning period before we welcome him back onto the pitch," said Ospreys manager Derwyn Jones.
"Gavin is making great progress - the operation was a success, and he is now pain-free."
Henson went under the knife in Germany last week and returned to Wales without any complications.
He had originally targeted a return to action by mid-October, but the Ospreys are not taking any chances with their prized asset.
Wales begin their autumn series with a sell-out match against New Zealand on 5 November, followed by meetings with Fiji, South Africa and Australia.
Prop Gethin Jenkins and Dafydd Jones will also miss the entire programme, while Shane Williams, Gareth Cooper, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones and Ceri Sweeney are battling to be fit.
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Nicky Robinson or Ceri Sweeney would be more than adequate replacements
