Henderson told to miss South Africa tour

London Wasps will refuse to release centre Rob Henderson for Ireland's proposed two-match tour of South Africa later this month.

Standard Sport revealed yesterday that the visit is being planned so that the Ireland squad can have some vital match practice because no rugby can be played in their homeland due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

However, they will have to make the trip to Cape Town without Henderson as Wasps believe it would be foolish to let a player who is recovering from injury travel that distance.

Wasps also have critical games which will have a big bearing on their chances of qualifying for Europe through the league.

Nigel Melville, Wasps director of rugby, said: "Rob will be out of action for two weeks after a partial dislocation of the bone that joins his collarbone and sternum.

"The injury could have been much worse but a scan has confirmed he will be out for just a couple of weeks.

"If Ireland go to South Africa I will tell their management that Rob is not fit to play and should not go.

"We don't have to release him because that agreement only covers international matches.

"They have arranged the trip to give the Irish-based players some action but Rob already has domestic games and we face Newcastle on 29 March and Rotherham on 1 April at home. Rob doesn't have anything to prove to the Irish selectors because he has been in outstanding form this season.

"I do not want him travelling abroad and then playing on a hard ground in South Africa too early.

"Ireland should just let him recover with us and accept that he has vital league matches to play in and that they will be much tougher than the fixtures they arrange out there."

The confirmation yesterday that the Six Nations want England to play Ireland on 5 May has also angered Melville. It was also announced yesterday that Ireland will face Wales on 29 April and Scotland on 12 May.

However, all three of the proposed new dates clash with the Zurich Premiership play-offs in England.

And Melville said: "It is ridiculous and another example of their lack of respect for our competition.

"They have ignored the RFU's alternative suggestions and it's obvious those did not carry any weight in the Six Nations committee."

The three new dates are subject to any restrictions on sport in Ireland, imposed due to foot-and-mouth, being lifted in time.