Henson banned for RBS Six Nations start

It means he will be ineligible for selection for the first three matches of the tournament, and he will miss up-coming matches in both the Celtic League and Heineken Cup for his regional side, the Ospreys.

Wales boss Mike Ruddock commented: “It is disappointing news for Gavin, the Ospreys and the Welsh team.

“It is particularly unfortunate for Gavin, in that he was only just coming back from a long-term injury and we all wanted him to focus fully on regaining his match fitness and form by playing for the Ospreys.

“However, what this citing case proves is the importance for players at all levels to maintain good discipline.

“It is also a major blow for us to lose Ian Evans for eight weeks in the build-up to the RBS Six Nations. Ian played himself on to the bench for the Invesco Perpetual Series, and he looks a fine prospect.

“These decisions will now make it difficult for both players to achieve selection for the RBS Six Nations.”

Henson’s team-mate Ian Evans, himself a member of Wales’s training squad, has also been handed an eight week ban by the ERC disciplinary committee following the hot-tempered match against Leicester Tigers.

Evans will not play again until mid-February, ruling him out of RBS Six Nations contention against England and Scotland.

Evans was also cited by match commissioner Dunlop following the first-half incident that led to Leicester star Ellis limping out of the Pool Three encounter.

Surgeons subsequently removed a damaged piece of cartilage from Ellis’s left knee joint, although Leicester’s initial fears of a long lay-off have, it seems, not materialised.

Like Henson, 21-year-old Evans will also miss several important Celtic League games, plus the Ospreys’ final two Heineken Cup pool fixtures against Clermont Auvergne and Stade Francais next month.

Henson, 23, did not pass comment after the two-hour hearing, but Ospreys team manager Derwyn Jones spoke on his and Evans’ behalf.

“Gavin Henson has received a 10-week ban, whereas Ian Evans has received an eight-week ban from playing rugby,” said Jones. “We are very disappointed with both verdicts, and we will now consider our position as to whether or not to appeal the sanctions imposed.”