Mike Phillips fired by Bayonne

thomond2006

This probably deserves its own thread.

Mike Phillips has been fired by his French club Bayonne after too many drunken indiscretions. The latest was turning up drunk to a morning video session the day after a win in the Amlin Challenge Cup. Two of his teammates were equally culpable but didn't have Phillips' previous so were only fined.

Can't post link but it's being widely reported.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Ridiculously overrated player with obvious off field problems

No doubt he'll be snapped up by another French club though

Teferi

Mike Phillips: Do we even care anymore?

thomond2006

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Ridiculously overrated player with obvious off field problems

No doubt he'll be snapped up by another French club though

I imagine he will be a medical joker at another club. Medical jokers aren't on short-term contracts necessarily, like Hosea Gear or Michael Claassens.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Will Wales finally be able to have a real scrum-half now? Hopefully not, thoughts of North with decent ball is scary

Larbre34

Well instead of a Mike Phillips model like Conor Murray for Lorenzetti and Racing Metro they can have the real thing right now for much cheaper and keep their paws off Murray!

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Larbre34 wrote: »

Well instead of a Mike Phillips model like Conor Murray for Lorenzetti and Racing Metro they can have the real thing right now for much cheaper and keep their paws off Murray!

Lets hope Racing are still among the group of people who actually think Phillips is a scrumhalf

19543261

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Will Wales finally be able to have a real scrum-half now? Hopefully not, thoughts of North with decent ball is scary

Has North ever played center? I know he used to be backrow and it was too rough for him, he says. I never knew why he doesnt get the ball more often and just run at people.

duckysauce

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/top-14/2013-2014/top-14-aviron-bayonnais-mike-phillips-licencie_sto3977721/story.shtml#disqus_thread

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

19543261 wrote: »

Has North ever played center? I know he used to be backrow and it was too rough for him, he says. I never knew why he doesnt get the ball more often and just run at people.

Didn't he start a test for Australia at 12? Or have to move there in the middle of a match or something

Theta

Came on as a sub at 12

rockbeast

duckysauce wrote: »

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/top-14/2013-2014/top-14-aviron-bayonnais-mike-phillips-licencie_sto3977721/story.shtml#disqus_thread

Laughing at this google translation!

"The scrum half of Leek will be officially unemployed Saturday morning ..."

CatFromHue

Planet Rugby are saying he's only suspended for the moment and that they'll make a decision later about what to do with him.

Buer

Well, at least Munster have their replacement lined up for next season.

[Jackass]

Good news for Munster so. Not that there's a shred of truth in the Conor Murray story I'd imagine, but even still, if someone like Racing Metro are looking for a big name scrum-half, there's no bigger than Mike Philips from the home nations (not including the French as I'm assuming guys like Parra and Yachville are already on big money and can't be tempted away)

He was never an amazing player but very very good on his day, but he hasn't had his day for a couple of years now, seems like his trip to France was purely for a holiday and a fat golden handshake.

The more of these mercenary deals that go tits up the better imo. If so many players go over there and not put in the effort maybe it'll make the money men think twice before getting the cheque book out in future.

RoundBox11

19543261 wrote: »

Has North ever played center? I know he used to be backrow and it was too rough for him, he says. I never knew why he doesnt get the ball more often and just run at people.

I know he played 13 in school. A friend of mine played against him a few times when he was in the centre

former legend

Buer wrote: »

Well, at least Munster have their replacement lined up for next season.

The personification of the Munster ethos.

Fireball07

Buer wrote: »

Well, at least Munster have their replacement lined up for next season.

That's not funny, Buer, not funny at all...

jm08

Larbre34 wrote: »

Well instead of a Mike Phillips model like Conor Murray for Lorenzetti and Racing Metro they can have the real thing right now for much cheaper and keep their paws off Murray!

ROG was interviewed today by Pat Kenny on Today FM. He said Racing were interested in Conor (as well as Phillips & Rory Kockott).

ROG said Murray should stay with Munster.

You would think that ROG would have divided loyalties now he is at Racing Metro but he was clear that Munster comes first, saying that he would "hate to see Murray leave Munster" and that he "needs to stay at Munster".

http://www.newstalk.ie/INTERVIEW:-Ronan-OGara-on-The-Pat-Kenny-Show

mfceiling

He was always one of those players that you didn't have to try hard not to like...

Larbre34

former legend wrote: »

The personification of the Munster ethos.

Just dont let him talk to anyone outside city centre chippers at 4am.

Any word on whether Lorenzetti and Murray had a chance to chat over a Bellini last night?

Cookiemunster

Larbre34 wrote: »

Just dont let him talk to anyone outside city centre chippers at 4am.

Any word on whether Lorenzetti and Murray had a chance to chat over a Bellini last night?

Murray flew to Glasgow with the squad yesterday. I actually don't think POC should have been there as he's playing tonight.

uRbaN

He has his problems, which have effected his fitness, his form and his on field decision making.

Compare the Philips on the 09 Lions tour vs the current version. Two different players.

stephen_n

uRbaN wrote: »

He has his problems, which have effected his fitness, his form and his on field decision making.

Compare the Philips on the 09 Lions tour vs the current version. Two different players.

Different game too!

thomond2006

Done deal on Monday: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8993718,00.html

Howard Juneau

Buer wrote: »

Well, at least Munster have their replacement lined up for next season.

After last nights showing, perhaps Leinster will be looking at Phillips, even pissed he's better than what's available there

Buer

Well that's just mean.

ssaye2

Ruddocks father is welsh but who is the last born Welsh Leinster player?

andymx11

ssaye2 wrote: »

Ruddocks father is welsh but who is the last born Welsh Leinster player?

Ross Jones - Welsh born played for Leinster... Under 18's!!

ssaye2

andymx11 wrote: »

Ross Jones - Welsh born played for Leinster... Under 18's!!

Any senior players in the last 20 yrs i cant recall has to be

P_1

Wasn't Ciaran Ruddock born in Wales?

ssaye2

P_1 wrote: »

Wasn't Ciaran Ruddock born in Wales?

nada

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/team/results/squad_leinster_academy.php?player=62774&includeref=dynamic#.Um040lM27t0

andymx11

Still can't think of anyone! In saying that I'm only young so I wasn't around in the olden days! Interested to find out though. Maybe ask it over on the Leinster thread it might get more views!

wp_rathead

Mike Phillips to take legal action against Bayonne

Official statement:

I am extremely disappointed and frustrated by the decision taken by Aviron Bayonnais Rugby Club to terminate my employment. I was also disappointed by the fact that I officially heard about my dismissal through an interview given in a French newspaper this morning.

"As a result of discussions with my legal team in France I have now instructed them to issue proceedings against Aviron Bayonnais Rugby Club through the French judicial system.
"I will not make any additional comments on this matter and any communication regarding the status of my claims will be made through them.

"I wish to thank my team mates and the many friends I have made in the Basque Country for their help and kindness over the past two seasons.

"I will now wholeheartedly concentrate all my energy and efforts on training with Wales and try to earn a place in the match day squad to help Wales have a successful Autumn campaign against South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Tonga

thomond2006

He's been disciplined before now and warned about his behaviour, this dismissal isn't a first strike. I'll be intrigued to see the result, I think for rugby's sake it's better if the club win.

andymx11

There is no way a professional club didn't inform him of his dismissal before they told the media. I would imagine they told him he was gone but didn't provide him with contract termination documents on the day and he will try use this to get the courts on his side. Cant see him coming out of this on top and rightly so.

thomond2006

They didn't confirm anything for a couple of days, apparently to fulfill some kind of obligatory grace period. I can't remember where I read that though.

pickarooney

They (AB) came out bulling against Midi Olympique on Thursday saying their story was fabricated and no decision had been made. They sent his dismissal by registered post and called him in on Saturday once he'd received it, as per protocol.