From hero to zero and back

HIS temperamental streak and general abrasive image has sometimes made Mike Phillips the face of Welsh indiscipline.

He was at the centre of controversy again on Saturday, receiving a yellow card in first half injury time, an indiscretion that cost Wales three easy points.

However, before being dispatched to the bin, a regular occurrence in his chequered career, the scrumhalf was lauded for a last ditch tackle on Shane Horgan. The number nine managed to force Horgan to drop the ball before the line, and the TV match official Dudley Phillips could not award a try.