Clermont Auvergne's Brock James to return, Flip van der Merwe out

Brock James is in contention to return for Clermont Auvergne's European Rugby Champions Cup clash at Ospreys on Friday, but Flip van der Merwe will be out for three weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

James has not featured for the Top 14 high-fliers since November, but the Australian fly-half has been given the all clear to travel for the Pool Two leaders' encounter with second-placed Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

There is not such positive news of Van der Merwe, who required an operation to repair damage to his knee last week.

The South Africa international lock is set to miss the Champions Cup games against Ospreys and Bordeaux-Begles as well as the Top 14 meeting with Montpellier.