And the suspension could also impact on his immediate international prospects, given that last season’s RBS 6 Nations champions launch their autumn campaign against South Africa in just four weeks.

The high-profile centre has been omitted from Sunday’s Welford Road clash – and Perpignan’s Swansea visit tomorrow week – because of what the Ospreys term “a rugby-related disciplinary decision.”

No further explanation was given for their shock move, which comes less than a week after Henson made his first start of the season, returning from an ankle injury during Ospreys’ narrow EDF Energy Cup victory over Harlequins.

It is understood Henson might have been punished following a disagreement over his training schedule this week.

Henson, understandably, looked rusty during the Quins encounter after six months out.

But his absence this weekend comes despite the Ospreys having lost his midfield partner Sonny Parker due to a chest muscle injury.

Ospreys head coach Sean Holley has handed Andrew Bishop Henson’s number 12 shirt, with former Ulster wing Tommy Bowe featuring at outside centre.

And Henson’s lack of match practice is likely to concern Wales boss Warren Gatland.

Henson, twice a Grand Slam winner, will now have only two matches to sharpen his form ahead of Wales facing the Springboks – Ospreys’ EDF appointments with Worcester on October 26 and London Irish seven days later.

Gatland is due to name his squad on October 21 for Wales’ November programme, which also features Millennium Stadium appointments with Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The Ospreys, meanwhile, are determined to make a major statement in Europe this term after suffering a dire Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat against Saracens last April.

That fixture provided Henson’s last start before the Quins game.

The Ospreys though, clearly believe they can put the Henson issue behind them this weekend.

Holley said: “We have made a very positive start to our season, and are starting to see the fruits of the players’ hard work during pre-season.

“Like all professional rugby outfits, we have had injuries to contend with, but the squad is in very good shape going into this competition and we are ready for the challenge.

“Our players are excited about the prospect of playing in this year’s Heineken Cup.

“They want to get off to a good start in Leicester, and it has been a very difficult selection process this week with so many players in numerous positions challenging for a starting place.

“A lot is at stake, as there always is in the first pool match in this competition, and we will need to be both focused and determined against a quality team if we are to achieve our aim.

“We have a very tight unit at the Ospreys – matches such as this one are as much about the 22 selected as the starting line-up itself – spirits are high, and we intend to be extremely competitive on Sunday.”