Rugby Union: Henson Injury Doubt for Wales

Gavin Henson has joined Ryan Jones as a doubt for Wales's World Cup campaign after sitting out training this month because of an achilles tendon problem. The Wales head coach, Gareth Jenkins, said he did not know if Henson would be fit for next month's friendly against England at Twickenham, his side's only competitive match before the deadline for the announcement of World Cup squads on August 14, but he has already ruled out the No8 Jones, who last week had exploratory surgery on his shoulder.

A fit Henson would almost certainly be in the World Cup squad after he rehabilitated himself during last month's tour to Australia, but Jenkins said at Wales's launch of the new, tight-fitting kit yesterday that he was not sure if the center would be available for England, adding: "Only Ryan has been ruled out of contention at this stage and we will know more about his World Cup prospects after our medical team and Ryan's specialist assess scan results later this week."

He added: "The England game gives us the last chance to answer questions before the World Cup but I cannot say that if someone is not fit for that game they will not be going to France. We hope Gavin will be available for Twickenham, but he has had a difficult couple of weeks."

Wales leave for a training camp in Nantes on Sunday with Jenkins angry that the World Cup organizers refused to allow him to organize a friendly against a local club side. "They said we could only play warm-up matches in August, but the Tri-nations has been going on all month. That tournament has shown that New Zealand are not as far ahead of the chasing pack as they were a year ago."

Jenkins believes Europe will mount a strong challenge. "It will not all be about New Zealand, South Africa and Australia," he said. "Look at the talent England have. Ireland have a lot of quality, France have home advantage which proved decisive when the soccer World Cup was held there, while we will be competitive."