So Gavin, did you break your hand on the pitch or on that train journey?

The Wales centre had the fracture confirmed the day after Sunday's infamous train journey when passengers alleged that he and a group of friends indulged in drinking games which involved hitting each other in the face. Henson's club, the Swansea-based Ospreys, went to some lengths to claim that the damage was done during the win over Harlequins at The Stoop.

Despite their insistence that Henson suffered the injury with almost 20 minutes of the EDF Energy Cup match remaining, he stayed on the pitch to the end, finishing Quins off by scoring the decisive try and converting it himself with the last kick of the match.

Ospreys also claim that Henson knew of the suspected break before travelling home by rail with three friends whose behaviour prompted police inquiries into allegations over their conduct from other passengers.

They alleged that the group's antics included playing a card game with a forfeit of drinking one-and-a-half bottles of beer, the penalty for failure being a punch in the face from Henson. 'Gavin Henson clenched his fist and he hit them in the face,' said one passenger. 'I saw it happen at least once but the other boy was happy for him to do it.'

After making a fresh appeal for witnesses, British Transport Police said they were likely to interview Henson and his friends again following the complaints of their alleged rowdy behaviour.

The fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his left hand will put Henson out of action for up to six weeks, a prognosis which would leave him barely a fortnight to regain match fitness in time for Wales' start to the Six Nations at Twickenham on February 2.

'Gavin suffered the injury at around the 63rd-64th minute mark after driving into a ruck,' said Ospreys' doctor, Rhydian Lewis. 'From reviewing the match video, it appears that an opposition boot accidentally came into contact with his hand and Gavin can clearly be seen holding his left hand as he got back to his feet.

'Gavin was able to complete the game, albeit in some pain and was checked out immediately after the final whistle by our medical team, who diagnosed a suspected fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. 'We then secured the earliest available appointment at the Vale Clinic (near Wales' training base) for him to undergo an X-ray on Monday, where our initial fears were confirmed.

'Having received the opinion of a second specialist, he has accepted that he has to allow the bone healing to occur naturally. He now has his left hand in a lightweight cast and whilst he will be able to continue with his fitness training, it is accepted that he will be unavailable for selection for a period of four to six weeks.'

As Henson gets to grips with another unwelcome break just as he was nearing a return to peak form, a former Wales coach has spoken out about alcohol abuse within Welsh rugby. Peter Herbert, Wales' fitness coach under Graham Henry's regime, said: 'It's true there is still this drinking culture in Welsh rugby and we don't seem to be able to get rid of it.

'It's a lot less than it used to be, but it's still there with a minority going on the booze too often. Boxers and athletes will tend not to take the risk of abusing their bodies during their season. They have so much desire to be the best they can be in their sport.

'I cannot condemn rugby players for wanting a beer, but it's a case of doing it in the right place at the right time. I'm sure English, New Zealand and South African players like a drink, but they know when to do it. We need to be more disciplined in Wales. Unfortunately, we are not there yet, despite trying to educate players about the damage alcohol can do to the body.'

James Hook, recovered from a finger injury, replaces Henson at fly half at home to Ulster tonight in a game Ospreys must if they are to progress to the last eight. The Wales No 10 will be partnered by New Zealand veteran Justin Marshall instead of Mike Phillips with another All Black, Filo Tiatia, restored to the back row.