Warren Gatland’s decision to drop Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips to the bench for Friday’s crunch clash with France was absolutely the right one, even if his reasoning seems a little puzzling.
Gatland says he thought the Racing Metro star had been a little too “confrontational” during his side’s defeat to Ireland in Dublin a fortnight ago. Phillips was yellow carded at the Aviva Stadium but if that was the first time the Kiwi thought his No9 had overstepped the mark, then someone should check his eyesight.
Indeed, Gatland favoured Phillips in the early years of his Wales reign precisely because of his physicality. His formative years were spent playing as a flanker and his ability and willingness to take the game to the opposition has, in many ways, epitomised the ‘Warrenball’ that has been played under Gatland.
Like Wales, Phillips has been abrasive, confrontational and direct yet ultimately very, very skilled and effective and the aggressive way in which he plays rugby has at times spilled over off the field.
He was attacked outside a Cardiff nightclub in 2008, put his 2011 World Cup participation in jeopardy with an incident at a fast food restaurant and even after moving to France has seen controversy follow not far behind as he was released by Bayonne after turning up to an analysis session worse for wear.
Coming on the eve of last autumn’s internationals, his sacking in the south of France raised the question of whether Wales could cope without him.
In the four months since the answer has been a resounding yes.
It is one thing to indulge a player when he is playing well but when he is out of form behavioural problems become an unwanted nuisance, and in truth, Phillips has not been at his best for at least a year now.
Never the quickest at the breakdown, his delivery from the base of scrums and mauls has become so pedestrian that he has managed to incorporate a trademark short grab as he surveys his options.
The 31-year-old’s arrogance remains intact but that ultimately has proven to be his downfall.
The way he acted against Ireland was distasteful and the childish nature in which he goaded One Direction singer Niall Horan after the game was just boorish.
Moreover, Rhys Webb deserves his chance to start against the French.
It was his rise to prominence at the Ospreys that edged Phillips out the door at the Liberty Stadium and on to France, and the 25-year-old is a man in form.
Released to his region last weekend he warmed up for Les Bleus with a try in a club record 75-7 rout against Benetton Treviso.
This is not it for Phillips – he has been dropped by Gatland before – but it could well be the beginning of the end for Wales’ most-capped scrum-half.
Burgess has character to succeed
Sam Burgess confirmed his long awaited switch from rugby league to Bath, and potentially England, this week and if anyone is going to make a success of the move it is him.
Burgess’ signing was greeted with fervour by England fans, many of whom have already got him in their World Cup squads.
But for every Jason Robinson or Sonny Bill Williams who have lit up both codes, there is a player who failed to live up to expectations.
Burgess need only look at his future team-mate in the south-west of England, Kyle Eastmond, to see how hard it can be to impose yourself in another code.
However, Burgess brings with him an amazing amount of potential. He has the size, strength and fleet of foot to become a star in his new surroundings.
Perhaps more importantly the 25-year-old has also proved he has character in abundance on and off the field.
When he made his professional debut for the Bradford Bulls, at 17, he was caring for his terminally ill father Mark. When his dad passed away, aged just 45, Burgess did not crumble. Instead he relocated to Australia with South Sydney, taking his whole family – he now plays for the NRL club alongside his three brothers.
If he approaches his new challenge with anywhere near the same dedication, Stuart Lancaster better clear a space in that World Cup squad.
