Former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips retires from rugby after two Six Naitons Grand Slams and Lions tour victory

FORMER Wales and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips has announced his retirement from rugby.

The No9 hard-man, who won two Six Nations Grand Slams and was on the successful British and Irish Lions tour of Australia four years ago, will leave Sale Sharks at the end of the season.

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Phillips, 34, tweeted: "I would like to announce my retirement as a professional rugby player at the end of this season with @SaleSharksRugby.

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"Thanks to the fans, teammates, clubs, coaches, @WelshRugbyUnion the @LionsOfficial, friends & family who have supported me over the years."

The Carmarthen-born scrum-half has been often seen as symbolic of Warren Gatland's hard-hitting approach with Wales - branded 'Warrenball' - after the Kiwi took over in 2008.

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In many ways, he was selected for his bruising defensive work as much as his ability to spot a gap with the ball.

Phillips took over from Dwayne Peel as the regular Welsh No9 and then for the Lions in 2009 and 2013, playing on the winning side four years ago.

But he has also courted controversy, suspended by Wales in 2011 for a skirmish with a bouncer in 2011 and sacked by Bayonne for off-field misconduct in 2013.

He will quit the game after his season at Premiership club Sale Sharks has finished.

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