7 Feb 2009

Welsh star out of Six Nations opener

4:08 pm on 7 February 2009

The rugby player Gavin Henson has withdrawn injured from the Wales squad for the Six Nations champions opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on Monday.

Henson, who would have been paired with Jamie Roberts in the centres for the first time, has failed to recover from a calf strain and will be replaced in the starting line-up by Tom Shanklin.

Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop takes up the spot on the bench vacated by Shanklin, Henson's partner in the 2005 and 2008 Grand Slams.

The Welsh Rugby Union says Henson's injury will be re-assessed next week.

The player has not represented his country since Wales beat France last March.