Mike Philips sacked

[Donny B.]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 18,00.html

[artaneboy]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 18,00.html

Sad, but inevitable. Where to now Mike- rugby league...?

[Logorrhea]

Wales first Central Contract?

[simonokeeffe]

Santa Ponza?

[IanD]

Has Philips been a regular starter for Bayonne?

He gets sacked but Dwayne Haare and Stephen Brett get fines for the same incident. I am aware that Philips was banned before but it seems odd that the other 2 only get fines for the same incident. I wonder if it was more motivated by cash - getting rid of a high earner off the books?

[JB1973]

Phillips has a tendency to cruise through club games and save himself for the test side (not ideal if your his french employer!)

Bet they couldn't wait to get rid of him and he gave them a perfect excuse

he is also getting on in age and the physical style of his game is bound to take it's affect on him, not sure he is that much of a catch for any new club

ps maybe he can join Bath, him and Gav would make a fine pair out on the lash!!

[artaneboy]

Phillips has a tendency to cruise through club games and save himself for the test side (not ideal if your his french employer!)

Bet they couldn't wait to get rid of him and he gave them a perfect excuse

he is also getting on in age and the physical style of his game is bound to take it's affect on him, not sure he is that much of a catch for any new club

ps maybe he can join Bath, him and Gav would make a fine pair out on the lash!!

That did occur to me JB- but I decided to be gracious!

[cormac]

He'll go to Japan.

[hugonaut]

He'll go to Japan.

Not sure if he'd be the type of player the Japanese would go for. From what I have read, their rugby culture [in behavioural terms] is still rooted in the Japanese corporate culture of being respectful, humble, showing a strong work ethic and being a good team player. Certainly when you read what Brad Thorn or Jaque Fourie have to say about the place and their experiences, it just doesn't seem like any fit at all for Phillips.

He seems like he can be a likeable enough chap when the mood takes him, but he's obviously got a big ego and is a boozer. Physically, the Lions tour showed that he's nothing like the player he was in 2011.

[Made Of Ale]

Toulon? They like buying people. With a particular interest in scrum halves at the moment.

[hugonaut]

Toulon? They like buying people. With a particular interest in scrum halves at the moment.

Maybe. That's a good call. Big number of powerful personalities and huge experience in Toulon with Bakkies, Ali Williams, van Niekirk, Masoe, JMFL, Juan Smith and obviously Wilkinson. You'd want to be a self-destructive [not just ill-disciplined] personality to go over there and let yourself down by pitching up drunk at training.

He wouldn't be a big fish in a small pond with excuses made for his liberties there. Secondly, he might have actually learnt from his mistakes and realise that he doesn't have a huge amount of time left in his career. And thirdly, like you say, they're looking at scrum-halves.

[ratpack]

Lots of speculation that he'll be offered a central contract by the WRU.

[simonokeeffe]

Lots of speculation that he'll be offered a central contract by the WRU.

regions dead against central deals so he might end up having to play 7s or Welsh Premier League between internationals

[Donny B.]

Santa Ponza?

I'd say he's barred!

[IanD]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/european/ ... d-philips/

Bayonne chief blasts sacked Welsh star Mike Phillips

A great quote. "I trusted him. This is treason."

Also ''Afflelou told French newspaper Sud Ouest: "It was him or me. I could not have stayed in a club with such disagreement."

Seems they really meant business.

[domhnallj]

Must be more to this than meets the eye, being pissed up and mouthy doesn't normally get you the bullet. A Byron Kelleher manoeuvre springs to mind

[simonokeeffe]

Must be more to this than meets the eye, being pissed up and mouthy doesn't normally get you the bullet. A Byron Kelleher manoeuvre springs to mind

Philips is going to be backup commentator to Justin Marshall?

[blockhead]

Must be more to this than meets the eye, being pissed up and mouthy doesn't normally get you the bullet. A Byron Kelleher manoeuvre springs to mind

I'd say Phillips turning up drunk was the opportunity for Bayonne to get rid of the highly paid layabout. They grabbed it with both hands.

[Peg Leg]

Must be more to this than meets the eye, being pissed up and mouthy doesn't normally get you the bullet. A Byron Kelleher manoeuvre springs to mind

I'd say Phillips turning up drunk was the opportunity for Bayonne to get rid of the highly paid layabout. They grabbed it with both hands.

This, I'd say he's on his way to the London Irish rehab clinic.

[peejoh]

The tragedy is that on his day, he is one of the best number 9s in the business. He went to Bayonne for the cash, that's for sure.