Henson suffered his first Six Nations defeat as a starter against Ireland

Gavin Henson has warned that some of the Wales team have played themselves out of Lions contention during this season's disappointing Six Nations.

The Wales centre admits his team's game "is not right at all" after they went from last year's Grand Slam champions to fourth in this year's campaign.

"I'm not sure if there's many of us who will be going on the Lions now," Henson said after their 17-15 loss to Ireland.

"I don't think any table lies, we were fourth and that's where we are."

Wales were hailed as the northern hemisphere's best side following their Six Nations clean-sweep and autumn performances over the southern hemisphere super-powers last year.

The Welsh were the pre-championship favourites this season and were expected to form the bulk of Ian McGeechan's 35-man Lions squad when it tours South Africa this summer.

And Henson was one of those expected to face the world champion Springboks at the end of the season.

But the 27-year-old Ospreys star has failed to catch the eye in just his two starts and one cameo appearance in this Six Nations after a calf injury kept him out of the first two games.

We need to improve our attack and stop worrying about the opposition as much as we do and concentrating on ourselves Wales centre Gavin Henson

And after watching Ireland dethrone Wales to win their first Grand Slam for 61 years, Henson offered a typically brutal assessment of the Welsh game and the Lions hopes of his colleagues.

McGeechan is set to name his Lions squad next month with full-back Lee Byrne, flanker Martyn Williams, lock Alun Wyn Jones, wing Shane Williams, props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones, scrum-half Mike Phillips, fly-half Stephen Jones and captain Ryan Jones as Wales' front-runners to make the tour.

But Henson said: "The Lions carrot is not there when you finish fourth.

"But luckily some of our boys have a chance with their regions in Europe to try and make a claim for it but I don't know, it's out of our hands now.

"I have done OK but there is a lot more to come from me. I just need game time as my fitness is not quite there so I hope to play every week to see if my form gets better."

He added: "I don't think any table lies, our game is not right at all.

"It was a little bit concerning we didn't score a try against Ireland. We created a couple of openings but not too many cutting-edge chances.

"We need to improve our attack and stop worrying about the opposition as much as we do and concentrating on ourselves - maybe have a bit more belief in the team.

Jones relives dramatic five minutes

"I was a bit unhappy after last week's performance and there are things we need to improve on.

"Teams have been a little bit negative when they've played us as they've tried to stop us from playing so we have got to counter act that from now on.

"That's where we'll learn from this campaign and we will be a better team for it."

Henson captured the headlines last week after Wales' 20-15 win against Italy after an on-the-field row with captain Ryan Jones as he thought Jones' decision to kick for goal in the dying seconds in Rome was wrong.

And his honest views will certainly provoke reaction within the Welsh camp this weekend.

606: DEBATE Wales have had a pretty good season, played some good rugby at times and were a few better decisions away from retaining the championship. Yet all a lot of people want to do is be negative captain_matt99

Wales' 17-15 defeat to Ireland at the Millennium Stadium was the first time Henson has suffered Six Nations defeat when he has started a game.

Ronan O'Gara's drop-goal in the final minutes in Cardiff clinched a dramatic Grand Slam for the Irish but Wales could have snatched the victory themselves.

The hosts were awarded a last-gasp penalty just a few yards inside their own half with was within Henson's mighty kicking range.

But to many people's surprise Stephen Jones, who had kicked all of Wales' 15 points, and not Henson stepped up to claim Triple Crown for the Welsh but the kick fell just short.

But Henson admitted he "did not fancy the kick".

"Steve was the man for that kick," he said. "He wanted to take it straight away. I took one earlier and I didn't catch it at all.

"I had a bit of a tight back as well so I didn't fancy that one, to be honest, and I'm glad Steve did. He was unlucky but it happens."

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