Scrum-half Dwayne Peel has not played since 16 January

Scrum-half Dwayne Peel is set to give Wales a boost head of their Six Nations clash with France on 26 February.

BBC Sport Wales understands Peel will make a Sale appearance in the Guinness Premiership at Wasps on Sunday.

If his return from a groin strain in that encounter goes well, Peel is lined up to start against Leeds on Friday, 19 February.

The 2005 British and Irish Lion was omitted from the Wales Six Nations squad after suffering a groin strain.

He suffered the injury playing for his club at Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup on 16 January.

If his return goes to plan, Peel would be ahead of rival Mike Phillips in the fitness stakes.

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Phillips is scheduled to return from ankle ligament surgery 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.

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

Cooper started the 30-17 defeat by England and remains in the starting line-up against Scotland on Saturday 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 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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