Byrne limped out of the British & Irish Lions series with South Africa earlier this year after suffering a recurrence of a foot injury. He has since had surgery to a ligament and the Western Mail reports that the 29-year-old is now in line to make his comeback in the Ospreys' Boxing Day clash with the Scarlets in Llanelli.

Jones, who suffered a dislocated right shoulder during the Lions second Test clash with the Springboks in Pretoria, has been granted clearance to make his playing comeback, probably in the Ospreys' Heineken Cup clash with Viadana on Saturday.

Ospreys boss Scott Johnson paid tribute to both men, commenting, "When you are talking about Adam and Lee, physically they look a million dollars so they have done their part in their preparation to get back so full credit to them."

The Australian reports that mining magnate Kevin Maloney was a leading member of a consortium of potential private owners negotiating with the Australian Rugby Union to acquire the licence to operate the Melbourne team, which will enter the Super rugby series in 2011. But it is understood negotiations have been strained over the size of the ARU grant to the fledgling franchise and that Maloney and another potential investor, Craig Dunn, are no longer involved.

The ARU provides the Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Western Force and Reds with an annual grant of A$4.3 million. The country's governing body has also recently increased its offer from A$2.1m to A$3m and fear any further input would create a and a conflict of interest with the other state-run teams.

It also comes 24 hours after Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie warned 2010 would be a tough year for the organisation, who are struggling to attract new sponsors and sell broadcasting rights for both domestic and international matches.