World Cup - Wales bring Phillips back from exile
Mike Phillips's indefinite suspension from Wales squad duties has ended.
The 28-year-old was banned "with immediate effect" on June 17 following allegations of an incident involving the scrum-half in Cardiff city centre.
However, Phillips met Wales Rugby Union bosses on Monday and apologised, leading to a statement from the WRU which confirmed he would be allowed to return to the squad and resume training for the World Cup in New Zealand.
The WRU had imposed an indefinite ban following allegations about Phillips's behaviour in public, with local media reporting he had been involved in a scuffle outside a restaurant in Cardiff earlier this month.
"This is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to me in my career," Phillips said in a statement released by the WRU. "I am ashamed to have let myself get into this kind of situation and I am determined to put things right.
"I have formally and sincerely apologised to my team mates and the coaching staff in the Welsh rugby squad and would like to take this opportunity to do exactly the same to the Welsh rugby public and anyone else who has been offended."
Comment 7 - 26 of 26
Planet, you say "I live in Wales" so you are obviously not Welsh.
Is the exclamation button stuck on your keyboard?
"Phillips gets frustarted and lashes out" psychoanalyst too. You have the nerve to call others smart ar*e? I love the way you censor ar*e but not pr*ck !
What a muppet.
Never thought there would be a day when I agree with both V and Planet!
To post No 23.....ok smart ar*e how many public bars in Bridgend is henson banned from...phillips is past his sell by date, thats why he gets frustrated and lashes out!!! Oh, and I read the Daily Telegraph and live in Wales!!!!Prick.
Planet, you are a plank.
The article is about the WRU re-instating him. Nothing to do with what you believe he thinks. (how do you do that by the way? amazing ability).
If Mr Dylan Hartley had not gone out of his way to get Richie Rees banned from the 6 Nations for 12 weeks, I do not think Mike Phillips would have been playing. He has lost form, he knows that but he has class and will prove himself.
The facts are that the WRU took the action of suspending him until they knew what had happened. Well now they do know and they are satisfied. There were no charges, so what is the big deal?
I was in a bar with Mike Phillips, Gav Henson, Andy Powell etc 2 years ago in Cardiff when the press claimed that all hell broke loose and made a big deal of it. It was laughable and anyone who pays attention to these hyped up "sell our papers" stories should have a look at themsleves. These are the same papers that put Katie Price on the front page at the drop of a hat for Pete's sake.
Stop passing judgement on people you know nothing about.
Could somebody please explain to me the point in the WRFU going absolutely bonkers in the press about some silly spat outside a nightclub where this muppet got his face pushed into the pavement by some bouncer (for doing what exactly; being a tad arrogant perhaps?) and then indefinitely suspending the same 'top' player one week only to reinstate him the next?
If I was a Welsh supporter I would seriously be wondering what the hell is going on up there.....we're only a few months of the World Cup for God's sake......
cymro you get a life, phillips plays like a slug in daps, Wales do not want him to play, he takes a fortnight to pass the ball and thinks he can take on the world by himself!!!!!!!!!!Bit like yourself probably!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well said Cymro and Paul, no one condones what he did, but lets keep a realistic lid on this. The police didnt think it required any further action, the guy has been made to look a plonker. enough done, enough said.
The WRU statements were very histronic, but , they did what they said they would do. Only the polular press ever thought it was more than stay away until we have decided. Maybe that would have been a more appropriate statement. but that is WRU for you.
Cymro, yes we all have had a 'scuffle' in our younger years. But this is a professional player and should set an example. There has been no punishment what so ever? You mentioned the two English players. They did in fact have some form of punishment. Maybe banning him from the World Cup may be harsh but what else could be imposed? Give him a fine then.
For those of you who dont understand what indefinite means it is a indeterminate amount of time ie the amount of time they felt was correct.
Welcome back hope you can find some form.
It was an alleged "scuffle".
Grow up you lot.
If any of you in your younger days were not involved in a scuffle, you need to get out more and you were not well known and targeted by muppets.
The WRU investigated, it was found to be nothing. What should they do guillotine him?
England have just welcomed back a banned drug cheat and Mr Daglalio was also banned and stripped of the captaincy for similar offences but he is a well respected member of the RFU establishment. Far worse offences.
Get a life for heavens sake.
no case to answer, sorry english. lol.
OK for England to pick a thug though who could have severly damaged Chris Ashton though...... Phillips should be dropped simple as that.
I wonder what the comments would say if Phillips had been playing well and had bullet like service? Does this paint over that we will have to tolerate his inclusion in the Welsh team when most of really want someone else in the scrum half spot?
Jeez i have just "thumbed up" the V man!
Pink pig and b you have my unreserved apology this is wrong very wrong and it shows just how gutless the WFRU are, my view he should be sitting on his arse watching the WC. Indefinite suspension should mean just that, England can do what they like now no further comments, a guy can smash a pub up I won't comment. THIS IS WRONG AND GIVES A VERY REAL BAD MESSAGE.
all belief in any thing said by the wrfu is gone. disappointed is not the word, indefinite means just that not a @#$% slap on the wrist and a fortnight or so.
yes phillips might be important but so is integrity, and there is none in the wrfu.
As usual you can rely upon Vicky VENDETTA TO GET IT WRONG AGAIN. Great entertainment - normally first to post - on holiday at Butlins perhaps?
Whats the difference between Mike Phillips and Fedex? You only have to wait around for half a day for Fedex's delivery.
more evidence showing that the welsh can bend they're own rules to help themselves.
Friggin desperate
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