Henson suffered minor ligament damage to his left ankle during the second half on the 19-10 defeat, and despite responding well to treatment this week he has just missed out on the game, a repeat of last year’s final.
That match was a thriller in the best sense of the word. The Welsh region found themselves 19 points behind at the half time break, before fighting back to lose narrowly.
“Saturday is another big day, another landmark occasion in the short history of the Ospreys and everybody in the camp is looking forward to going back to Twickenham to face Leicester Tigers in a repeat of last year’s classic encounter,” said Ospreys Coach Lyn Jones.
“Conceding 28 points in one half is a freak event for any professional side and being a little wiser to the demands Leicester will place upon us, and memories of last year, will help drive us on to the goal of becoming the first Welsh side to win the EDF Energy Cup.
“Leicester are a very wise side who have been there and done it many times over the last 11 years. They may not have made it into the latter stages of the Heineken Cup this season but we still regard them as one of the big four in Europe. It’s going to be a real test of our physical and mental stamina, following on from the boys 6 Nations success and then the disappointment of last weekend.
“Its disappointing news that we have to go into the game without Gavin Henson, who is still suffering from the ankle injury he picked up at Saracens. As is always the case, his absence provides someone else with an opportunity and in Andrew Bishop we have a talented youngster who has a considerable amount of experience.
Ospreys: Lee Byrne; Johnny Vaughton, Sonny Parker, Andrew Bishop, Shane Williams; James Hook, Justin Marshall; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (capt), Marty Holah, Filo Tiatia
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas, Gareth Owen, Jonathan Spratt, Aled Brew
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
