Gavin Henson last night had his 72-day ban reduced by three weeks after a four-hour appeal hearing in Dublin.

But Ospreys star Henson will still miss Wales' RBS 6 Nations opener against world champions England at Twickenham on February 4, and the Millennium Stadium appointment with Scotland eight days later.

He can play again from February 13, meaning he will be available for Wales' trip to Ireland later that month. Henson's initial suspension ran until early March.

His likely comeback game will be for the Ospreys against Celtic League opponents the Borders in Swansea on February 17.

Henson was suspended for ten weeks and two days after being cited and found guilty of elbowing Leicester prop Alex Moreno during a bitter Heineken Cup clash between the Ospreys and Tigers just before Christmas.

And although the ban has been cut, his absence from Wales' opening two Six Nations games will be a severe blow to coach Mike Ruddock, who has already lost injured players Kevin Morgan, Chris Horsman, Brent Cockbain, Tom Shanklin and Ryan Jones from his plans for this season's tournament.

The 23-year-old Henson refused to comment as he left the hearing, having played just three games this season due to a combination of injury and suspension.

An Ospreys spokesman though, mirrored Henson's sense of frustration.

"It is still disappointing," he said. "But at least there has been a reduction. We felt justified in appealing over the initial ban. There could have been more sympathy for Gavin, but we have accepted the panel's decision."