Phillips was a key man in Wales' Grand Slam campaign

Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips faces six months out after damaging cruciate knee ligaments in the EDF Energy Cup win over Saracens.

The injury will rule him out of Wales' summer tour to South Africa, the EDF final and the rest of the Heineken Cup.

But he has vowed to come back stronger: "I don't think it has hit me yet as I've never been injured before.

"But I'll come back stronger and I've got to look forward to next season now."

Justin Marshall is likely to take his Ospreys place for next week's Saracens rematch in the Heineken quarter-final.

Phillips suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament and a tear to the medial collateral ligament and is to undergo surgery to repair the damage.

Ospreys physio Chris Towerssaid: "After an operation it'll be six months out but he should recover fully."

The 25-year-old scrum-half has enjoyed a memorable season, ousting Marshall from the Ospreys side and Dwayne Peel from the Wales team.

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Phillips played a key role in the Grand Slam campaign and was short-listed as one of the six best players in the Six Nations.

The news will hit coach Warren Gatland's plans, the Wales coach having intended to take his strongest possible side to challenge South Africa on June's two-Test tour.

Gatland's assistant coach Rob Howley admitted: "It's not just a big blow for Wales and the Ospreys but a blow for Mike himself.

"He was one of the outstanding players of the tournament.

"Rugby is sometimes a cruel sport and can hit you at a time when things are going well.

"To have such a devastating injury will certainly ask questions of Mike's character and motivation but Mike is a determined, hard-worker and I'm sure he will get back to his best.

"His duel over the last 12 months with Dwayne Peel has paid off for Mike as it has improved him no end and he'll be sorely missed by both Wales and the Ospreys.

"But luckily Wales have two quality scrum-halves in Dwayne and Gareth Cooper and Mike's absence opens the door for them on our summer tour."

Peel was Wales' second choice throughout the Six Nations, with Gloucester's Cooper also in the squad.

Ospreys coach Lyn Jones, who this week saw squad scrum-half Martin Roberts agree to join the Scarlets, was saddened by the Phillips news.

"This is very disappointing for both Mike personally and for the Ospreys, particularly coming at a time when both his form and confidence have been high," said Jones.

"We wish him well for the operation next week, and for a speedy recovery, and we look forward to seeing him on the field in Ospreys colours again soon."

Ospreys physio Towers added: "The good news is there are plenty of top-flight rugby players and Premiership footballers who have suffered similar injuries and are back doing the business as good as ever.

"And there is no reason to think that Mike should be any different."