Wales woe as Phillips has surgery

Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips has a long-term knee injury

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has been ruled out of the autumn Test series after having a second knee operation.

The 26-year-old had an outside chance of returning for the November games against world champions South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

But his club, the Ospreys, say he had a minor keyhole procedure last week to help his knee settle down and is now targeting a return in December.

Phillips has been sidelined since damaging his knee last March.

His absence is another blow for Wales coach Warren Gatland, who has already lost back-row forward Jonathan Thomas because of a groin injury.

Wales face South Africa in Cardiff on 8 November, then Canada, New Zealand and Australia on successive weekends.