Gavin Henson Six Nations hopes hit by injury

Henson will be out for three weeks (Getty Images)

Gavin Henson's hopes of claiming a place in Warren Gatland's Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations have been dealt a blow with the news that he will be out for three weeks with a torn calf muscle.

The Saracens centre limped off after coming on as a replacement during Saturday's 43-20 Heineken Cup hammering at the hands of Leinster and the diagnosis means that he will be unavailable for Wales' opening Six Nations engagement with England on February 4 at the Millennium Stadium.

The 28-year-old has been desperate to get as much game time under his belt as possible in an effort to prove to Gatland that he merits a rapid recall to the national set-up having only returned from a 20-month self-imposed exile from the game on Boxing Day.

But it would appear his hopes may have been extinguished by this injury setback, particularly as Gatland is not short of midfield options with James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin and Jonathan Davies all available.

Henson was not the only name on a lengthy injury list for the Londoners after their abject display at the RDS in Dublin.

Fiji back Michael Tagicakibau is also out for three weeks with a hamstring tear while lock Hugh Vyvyan is out for a fortnight after spraining an ankle.

Former England skipper Steve Borthwick will undergo a scan later today on the shoulder injury he picked up as Sarries look to bounce back when they host Clermont Auvergne in their final Pool Two clash on Friday night.

A Saracens statement read: "Following Saracens Heineken Cup match against Leinster on Saturday, a number of the squad were injured during the game.

"Gavin Henson (calf tear) and Michael Tagicakibau (hamstring tear) have both been ruled out for three weeks.

"Hugh Vyvyan sprained his ankle and will be missing for two weeks while captain Steve Borthwick will have a scan later today on a shoulder injury.

"David Strettle left the field midway through the second half but has been given the all clear while Chris Wyles will return after missing the last month with a fractured cheekbone."