RBS SIX NATIONS: Wales v France
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Friday, 26 February Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and BBC Sport website; Radio 5 live, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Mike Phillips returned to action for the Ospreys against Connacht

Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips insists he is fully fit to face France despite playing only 40 minutes of competitive rugby since last October.

Phillips was the surprise name in the Wales 22 to play France on Friday night as cover for the Blues' Richie Rees.

He played the whole second half in the Ospreys' win over Connacht on Sunday.

"I'm very confident in my fitness and just really excited to be back in the squad and can't wait to be a part of it again," said the Ospreys star.

"I'm just chuffed to be part of the squad and if I'm called upon I'm going to give it 110%."

Many were surprised that Phillips rather than Dwayne Peel - who had returned last week from injury for a full 80 minutes of rugby for Sale Sharks against Leeds last Friday - was named as the scrum-half replacement.

But Phillips insisted he has been itching to get back into action for more than a month and had wanted a run-out for either Swansea or Aberavon the week before he played in the Connacht game.

And the 27-year-old said he would not play if he felt his fitness was in doubt.

"I wouldn't put myself in this position to be honest," he admitted.

"I was available the week before last as well. So I've had a big conditioning block the last four or five weeks."

Phillips said he came through the Connacht game without any ill-effects.

"I was just really excited. I was a bit disappointed the [Connacht] game wasn't a bit quicker really if anything. It was a stop-start second half.

"I wanted to go out there and be part of everything again like a young kid. I can't wait to get out on the field again."

It's like receiving your first cap again and I can't wait for Friday night Mike Phillips

Phillips underwent surgery after tearing ankle ligaments in the Ospreys' Heineken Cup clash against Clermont Auvergne four months ago.

Injury forced him to miss the autumn internationals and the start of the RBS Six Nations championship, meaning he has not played for Wales since the clash with Ireland in Cardiff last March.

"I put myself in a good position over the summer with the Lions and it was disappointing missing out on the autumn and the start of the Six Nations, but there is no point in dwelling on that," he added.

"I've got to look forward and be positive and I can't wait now for the rest of the season.

"It has been a long time. It's like receiving your first cap again and I can't wait for Friday night."

But Phillips knows the France game will be a hard encounter, not least his potential battle against the in-form scrum-half Morgan Parra.

"I played against him last year. He is obviously a class player and they are doing very well," said Phillips.

"He is in a good side and we are going to have to watch out for him like everyone in the French side. It's going to be a tough game for us but hopefully we can come through it ."

Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Richard Rees (Blues); Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys) , Tom Shanklin (Blues).

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