Six Nations: Wales Axe Henson

Gavin Henson, the golden boy of Wales's 2005 grand slam success, was left out of the team for the start of the Six Nations yesterday even after their former captain Gareth Thomas was ruled out of Sunday's opening match with Ireland in Cardiff.

There was not even a place on the bench for Henson, who spent his 25th birthday yesterday pondering the advice of the Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins who believes that intense media interest in the player, such as unflattering pictures and reports of Henson's holiday with the singer Charlotte Church in France last month, has contributed to a chronic loss of form and confidence.

"I have sat down with Gavin and talked about things with him," said Jenkins. "He is under intense media scrutiny and it is hard on him. He is a talented player and we want to see him back at his best."

Henson may be Wales's best known rugby player outside the country, but he has never been a fixture in the national side having won 20 caps in six years. His international career has reached a critical stage, as has that of the 90-cap Thomas, who led the Lions two years ago, after he was yesterday banned for a month.

Thomas admitted one charge of misconduct at a European Rugby Cup Limited disciplinary hearing, was found guilty of another and was acquitted of a third after he was involved in an incident with Ulster supporters during the Heineken Cup match at Toulouse last month.

The 32-year-old will miss Wales's first three Six Nations matches and was told that he had faced a 12-week suspension for making an offensive gesture at Ulster supporters and "aggressively" trying to get into an area where away fans were seated. He was criticised by the three-man disciplinary panel for "becoming so angry that he lost his reason. It is almost beyond comprehension that someone of his stature and experience should have put himself in the position he did."

Thomas had confronted the fans several minutes after the Toulouse second- row replacement Trevor Brennan told him he had been involved in an incident with supporters. Brennan was due to face an ERC disciplinary panel yesterday accused of assaulting a spectator, but it was postponed because he faces the prospect of a criminal action brought in France.

Thomas, who was also fined £5,000, was given leave to appeal, but if he takes that option he would not be free to play again until the hearing was held. The ban handed down yesterday was cut by two-thirds because of his good disciplinary record and letters from character witnesses urging clemency, including one from Ruud Gullit.