Wales international Gavin Henson's hopes of a RBS 6 Nations comeback have been hit by injury.
The 25-year-old, overlooked by head coach Gareth Jenkins for the first two matches of the tournament, had been presented with a golden opportunity to force his way back into the side after Kevin Morgan sustained a broken jaw in the 21-9 defeat to Scotland
However, an injury to his left knee has ruled him out of Ospreys league match at home to Connacht on Saturday - seven days before Wales face France in the RBS 6 Nations.
'Inflammation has come up on the knee this week,' Ospreys director of rugby Kevin Hopkins told the Western Mail.
Gavin has had a few bumps on it this season. Our physios have assessed him and the knee is not right.
We are not in a position to play players when they are not 100%.'
Ospreys' next match is in Edinburgh on March 2 - eight days before Wales travel to Italy.