A deeply embarrassed Mike Phillips has been welcomed back into the Welsh fold after being suspended for a row with a bouncer outside McDonalds in Cardiff.
The confident scrum half was suspended indefinitely from the Welsh squad earlier this month after word got out that he had been accosted by police after scrapping with a bouncer who wouldn’t let him into a McDonalds in Cardiff city centre at 3am.
Phillips was photographed causing bother outside the restaurant and in what must have been a highly embarrassing revelation for the player himself, one of the bouncers involved had to sit on the 6ft 3in, 16 stone Bayonne player before the police arrived.
It turns out the indefinite suspension wasn’t that indefinite after all, however, as Phillips has been welcomed back into the squad currently undergoing conditioning training ahead of the World Cup later this year.
A sheepish Phillips, who was not arrested and will not face any criminal action, issued a quite lengthy apology for his actions, saying: “This is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to me in my career. I am ashamed to have let myself get into this kind of situation and I am determined to put things right.
“As a player I’m really passionate and never back down. I know I can’t allow that part of my character to come to the surface off the rugby pitch. I have realised I have an issue with the way in which I deal with, and have dealt with, the pressures of my current environment and have sought, and will continue to seek, help and advice in relation to that issue.
“I have formally and sincerely apologised to my team-mates and the coaching staff in the Welsh 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 by this or other episodes.
“I am a professional rugby player and I give the game my all, but there have been times I have let myself down as well as my family, the fans and my team-mates. The positive thing to come out of everything is that I now fully recognise that I need to deal with these pressures and I am taking every step to ensure that it is resolved.
“I deeply regret my behaviour, my exclusion from the squad took place in the glare of intense publicity and all I can hope for now is the privacy to concentrate totally on convincing the squad management I deserve to keep my place and the public’s understanding and support for what I’m trying to do.
“I am a proud Welshman and I remain determined to devote myself to being the best rugby player I can possibly be to gain success for Wales in the World Cup and future tournaments.”
The Welsh Rugby Union issued a statement regarding Phillips’ return which read: “Mike Phillips met with the senior Wales squad management today, following his suspension on Friday, June 17.
“The player was informed his conduct in Cardiff city centre, earlier that week, had not adhered to the standards expected of a member of the Wales senior squad.
“Phillips accepted the view of the senior management team in full and gave an assurance that he understands the action taken to punish his behaviour and is taking active steps to ensure there is no repeat. The player addressed the Wales extended Rugby World Cup training squad players, explained his conduct and outlined his plans to ensure there is no repeat of the incident and apologised.
“Following the meetings and taking into account the duration of the 10-day suspension, Phillips will now be allowed to return to the squad and take part in pre-Rugby World Cup training from tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28.
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