Phillips has been out since damaging ankle ligaments in October

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips looks likely to miss the France game after his injury return was put back.

The British and Irish Lions Test star had been lined up for a match for Swansea against Carmarthen Quins in the Welsh Premiership on Friday.

But that has been scrapped, Phillips now likely to return as a replacement when the Ospreys host Connacht on Sunday, 21 February.

That would give him little chance of making the France match on 26 February.

Phillips has been out since suffering ankle ligament damage in the Ospreys' home Heineken Cup win over Clermont Auvergne in October.

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Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Martin Roberts and Richie Rees have played at nine for Wales in Phillips' absence.

With Peel also injured for the start of the Six Nations, Cooper started against England last week.

The second-choice Blues scrum-half has retained his place for Saturday's game against Scotland despite heavy criticism.

Blues first choice Rees again sits on the bench, having replaced Cooper in the second half at Twickenham.

Phillips could still feature for Swansea on 27 February and have a second Ospreys appearance in Edinburgh on the 7 March if he is to stand a chance of making the last two matches of Wales' Six Nations campaign, against Ireland and Italy.

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