Scarlets Injury SOS brings former Welsh international out of retirement

Mike Phillips is set to make a surprise return to rugby having retired at the end of last season.

The 35-year-old former Wales and British and Irish Lion scrum-half could find himself on the bench over the next two weekends, as Scarlets travel to South Africa to take on the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs in the Pro14 after being named in the travelling squad.

It’s only @mikephillips009! ? #inthepack
Croeso nôl Mike! #ynypac https://t.co/ZlR5Gse7Zk

— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) November 21, 2017

Phillips answered an SOS call from head coach Wayne Pivic after the region found themselves with only one scrum-half in Jonathan Evans after fourth-choice Declan Smith underwent ankle surgery having picked up an injury in the Anglo-Welsh Cup a few weeks ago, while Gareth and Aled Davies are currently on duty with the Welsh national side.

“We are delighted that Mike has been able to answer the call,” Pivic said of the addition. “He has a wealth of experience, is a proud former Scarlet and will be a great addition to our travelling squad.”

Phillips who has won 94 Tests for Wales and five for the Lions hung up his boots at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, playing for Sale Sharks at the time, bringing the curtain down for a short time on an illustrious career.

Squad travelling to South Africa;

Forwards
Tadhg Beirne
Will Boyde
David Bulbring
Jack Condy
Steven Cummins
James Davies
Taylor Davies
Dylan Evans
Ryan Elias
Rhys Fawcett
Simon Gardiner
Dafydd Hughes
Werner Kruger
Josh Macleod
Tom Phillips
Tom Price
Lewis Rawlins

Backs
Paul Asquith
Jonathan Evans
Ioan Hughes
Steff Hughes
Dan Jones
Johnny Mcnicholl
Ioan Nicholas
Mike Phillips
Tom Prydie
Morgan Williams