British and Irish Lions

Lee Byrne gave Ian McGeechan one final nudge before he announces his 2009 British & Irish Lions tour party on Tuesday by making a try-scoring return from injury at the weekend.

The Wales and Ospreys full back had not played since damaging his ankle in the final round of the RBS Six Nations last month and was forced to sit out his side's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster.

But he was a second-half substitute for the Welsh region as they stayed in contention at the top of the Magners League with a 28-19 win over bitter rivals the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets.

Byrne ran in one of his side's three second-half tries to prove he is back to full fitness, while also kicking well out of hand with his left boot to show there were no lingering problems with the foot in which he suffered the tendon damage.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.