Wales back Gavin Henson is suffering with an inflamed knee

National coach Gareth Jenkins has not yet picked the 25-year-old in either of Wales' two losses in the championship.

But full-back Kevin Morgan's fractured cheekbone has seen Wales casting around for possible replacements.

Henson was one name mooted, but he has been ruled out of the Ospreys' match with Connacht and his region expect him to be out for "seven to 10 days".

An inflamed knee, a long-standing problem, has seen Henson sidelined.

Ospreys director of rugby Kevin Hopkins said: "Inflammation has come up on the knee this week, Gavin has had a few bumps on it this season.

"Our physios have assessed him and the knee is not right."

However, there is better news elsewhere in the Ospreys camp.

Full-back Lee Byrne was expected to be out until at least April with a medial ligament injury but starts Saturday's Magners League match at the Libery Stadium.

A good showing is likely to earn Byrne an immediate recall to the Wales number 15 shirt to face Les Bleus at Stade de France.

Wing Shane Williams is recovered from the hip problem and illness that ruled him out of Wales' loss in Scotland, while lock Brent Cockbain also starts against Connacht.

Number eight Ryan Jones remains touch-and-go with a calf strain but is confident he will be fit for France.

"It is getting better every day and I should be fine by the weekend and training by the beginning of next week," Jones said.

"I will really be busting a gut to get back for the French game."