British and Irish Lions

Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips has received a boost to his chances of making next summer's Lions tour after he announced an expected date for his return to action.

The Grand Slam winner has been sidelined since March after damaging cruciate knee ligaments but expects to be back on the field by late September or early October.

"I'm starting to run and things are looking a lot better than they were," the 26-year-old told BBC Sport Wales.

"I'm hoping to get back on the field towards the end of September or October.

"The injury was difficult to take after a successful year playing for Wales and the Ospreys - I didn't believe it when the doctor said I'd be out for six months. But the worst part is over now and I've just got to get back to full fitness."

The expected return date would see Phillips back in an Ospreys shirt in time for their opening Heineken Cup match in Leicester on October 12, before putting him in contention for Wales' autumn internationals against South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia the following month.

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.

Radike Samo, one of only two players still playing top level rugby in Australia who placed against the 2001 British & Irish Lions, will return to top flight action with Queensland Reds against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.