Wales No.9 Phillips retires from international rugby

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has announced his retirement from playing international rugby union for his country.

Thirty-three-year-old British and Irish Lions No.9 Phillips will continue to play club rugby for his current club in France Racing 92.

Phillps won 94 Test caps for Wales and also played in 5 British and Irish Lions Tests.

The scrum half scored nine tries for Wales and was part of the Wales squad that won a Six Nations title in 2013 and Grand Slams in in 2008 and 2012.

Phillips was originally excluded from Warren Gatland’s Rugby World Cup squad but was then called up after Rhys Webb was injured.

Although he was part of the wider squad he was not called up for any of Wales’ match day squads.

“This is a chance for me to bring this chapter of my life to a close,” said Phillips in a statement.

“Playing for Wales has been such a huge part of my adult life and this is a chance for me to say thank you to everyone from family and friends, the coaches and management of the Welsh Rugby Union, all of the great players that I have been fortunate enough to play with and against and of course the fantastic Welsh fans for their great support.

“It was always a dream of mine to play for Wales, it meant everything to me and it’s an amazing feeling to represent your country. For me it was a privilege.”

Phillips retires as Wales’ most capped scrumhalf.