Tour spot is carrot for Henson

Gavin Henson has been told he can claim a place on Wales' summer tour of Australia despite being ruled out of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Henson has been advised to rest a knee ligament problem for the next month, meaning he has no chance of playing a part in the 2007 Championship. But Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has dangled the carrot of a summer tour place in front of the Ospreys star for the two Tests in Australia at the end of May.

"Gavin has to play rugby and produce form," insisted Jenkins. "And we will watch him between now and the end of the season with a view that there is an opportunity to play rugby in Australia in the summer."

Jenkins also laid down the same challenge to Henson's regional team-mate Sonny Parker who makes a comeback from a knee injury in the Ospreys' Magners League clash with Ulster at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday night.

Parker, despite his return to action, is unlikely to play any part in this season's Six Nations.

Jenkins added: "Unfortunately for Sonny he is playing his first game a week before the Italy game, so realistically I wouldn't expect Sonny to make such an impact that it would influence me at the moment.

"But Sonny has got enough time between now and the end of the season to get back in to the flow and hopefully he is the type of player we would want to take to Australia."

Jenkins has also unveiled the latest member the management team - psycho-physiology and performance coach John Neal.

He comes to Welsh rugby having worked as an advisor to England and West Indies cricket, as well as the Rugby Football Union, and he will work closely with coaches and players alike aimed at improving and maintaining performance.

"John will bring a new dimension to our team and will be a value to everyone across the board, from senior players right through the age groups to management," said Jenkins.