Gatland handed centre blow

Wales’ preparations for next month’s Six Nations have been handed their fair share of bad luck over the past few months. Firstly Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny have missed a large chunk of playing time with their injuries, the wingers only due to return to action over the next week or so.

Then George North, so impressive in the autumn internationals, then suffered a serious shoulder injury, ruling him out of the entire tournament. It hasn’t been just injuries causing Warren Gatland problems, scrum-half Richie Rees was whacked with a 12-week ban for making contact with the eye area of Dylan Hartley, meaning he’ll take no part in the Six Nations.

The latest problems to arrive at Gatland’s front door has been the news that Gavin Henson and Andrew Bishop have both suffered injuries and will struggle to be fit for Wales’ Nations campaign. Henson has suffered a torn calf muscle, less than a month since returning to the game following 18 months attending cocktail parties and tango classes. The Saracens man limped off during his side’s 43-20 defeat at Leinster last weekend.

Bishop provided Wales with cover in the centre’s during the autumn and was expected to be named in Gatland’s squad to fulfil a similar job next month. The Ospreys centre has been ruled out of the tournament after damaging ankle ligaments during the Magners League game against Cardiff and is facing eight weeks on the sidelines. Anyone looking at the Six Nations betting should take these injury problems into account before putting their cash on Wales.

Despite the loss of both Henson and Bishop, Gatland still has decent cover in the centre department with James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin and Jonathan Davis all vying for a place in the side that will take on England in the tournament’s opening game.