British and Irish Lions

Twenty-seven year-old Sidoli was due to return in mid-January after undergoing an operation on his injured shoulder. However, according to Cardiff Blues coach, Dai Young, he is unlikely to make his return before the end of the month.

The 6ft 6 second row will be a great loss to the Wales line-out and with Ospreys lock Ian Evans ruled out for the rest of the season, Wales' options are limited.

Evans' Ospreys partner Alun Wyn-Jones looks most likely to claim the number five jersey, with Brent Cockbain and Ian Gough both vying for the other second row spot.

Back row Jon Thomas is recovering well, and is due to make his return to action two weeks ahead of schedule for the Ospreys.

Gareth Thomas is also returning to fitness after sustaining a knee injury in December.

Coach Gareth Jenkins will hope to have both players fit ready for Wales' opening match with Ireland on February 4.

The Lions of Leicester and Leinster will bring domestic bragging rights with them to tomorrow's farewell dinner after they helped their respective sides to league titles on Saturday.

Assistant coach Graham Rowntree says The British & Irish Lions will have to be fully focussed to avoid a potential banana skin when they face The Barbarians a week today.

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.