Henson appeal date set

The lengthy ban was imposed when Henson was found quilty of using his elbow on Leicester Tigers prop Alex Moreno during a hot tempered Heienken Cup match in December. The ban – as it strands – means Henson will be unavailable for selection for the first three rounds of the 2006 Six Nations, and all games for the Ospreys until March 5, 2006.

The independent Appeal Committee will be chaired by Brian McLoughlin (IRFU) and will also comprise Philip Orr (IRFU) and Mike Hamlin (RFU). The Appeal Committee cannot contain any members of the original independent Disciplinary Committee who heard the citing lodged by the ERC appointed Citing Commissioner for the match, Bill Dunlop (Scotland).

The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (SRU) and completed by Dr Barry O’Driscoll (IRFU) and Professor Lorne D. Crerar (SRU), found that Henson had been in contravention of Law: 10.4 (a) – Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).