Bayonne Sack Phillips

Mike Phillips has been sacked by his club Bayonne after being accused of turning up for training drunk.

Phillips, capped 77 times by his country, met club officials on Saturday and was told his contract was to be cancelled.

The 31-year-old will receive official confirmation by letter on Monday.

Phillips joined Bayonne from Ospreys in 2011 and was under contract with the French Top 14 club until June 2014.

He left for Wales on Sunday to join up with the national squad ahead of the November internationals.

Phillips appeared before the Bayonne board on Tuesday to answer allegations he turned up to a video analysis session under the influence of alcohol.

Two fellow players, New Zealand back row Dwayne Haare and fly-half Stephen Brett, also had to answer allegations at that meeting and were fined but not suspended.

Phillips was left out of the squad for Friday's Top 14 game against Montpellier, which Bayonne won 24-19.

On Thursday evening Phillips had apologised in French to Bayonne fans "for this situation" on his Twitter account, adding: "I am behind the team wholeheartedly tomorrow night. Good luck."

The British and Irish Lions scrum-half was suspended by Bayonne last year for off-field misconduct and by Wales in July 2011 after a confrontation with a doorman in Cardiff city centre.

Bayonne have not yet officially confirmed the departure of Phillips, who played 39 matches in the Top 14.

Wales coach Warren Gatland showed support for the 77-times capped player when he named him in a 35-man squad earlier this week.

"We will just sit down and have a quiet chat about where his head's at and what he's doing," said Gatland. "But there will be no sanctions for him here in this set-up."

Factfile

Born: 29/8/1982 (31)

Height: 1.91m (6ft 3in)

Weight: 101kg (15st 12lb)

Wales caps: 77 (eight tries)

Lions caps: 5 (one try)

Teams: Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Bayonne

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Phillips Faces Bayonne Board

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Mike Phillips has been asked to explain himself to Bayonne's directors after allegedly turning up to a video analysis session under the influence of alcohol.

Phillips and two team-mates will meet the board on Tuesday to give their side of events.

The alleged incident occurred the day after the Amlin Cup win over Grenoble.

The 31-year-old British and Irish Lions number nine was suspended by the club in 2012 for off-field misconduct.

Phillips was also suspended from the Wales squad in July 2011 following an incident in Cardiff city centre when he was involved in a confrontation with a doorman.

The 77-times capped former Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys player joined Bayonne following the World Cup in the autumn of 2011.

He was a key member of the Lions team that beat Australia 2-1 in the Test series last summer, setting up the opening try for Alex Corbisiero in the decisive third Test match victory in Sydney.

He has also won two Six Nations Grand Slams with Wales in 2008 and 2012.

New Zealanders Wayne Haare and Stephen Brett are the other players who will have to explain their actions to Bayonne board on Tuesday.

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Wales Expects Explains Sam

Sam Warburton admits Wales' fans will be expecting big things of the national team in this year's Six Nations Championship.

Wales face Ireland in their opening game on 5 February after finishing fourth at last year's World Cup.

But Warburton is confident Wales will be able to deal with the pressure placed upon them by an expectant public.

"I think they're expecting pretty big things from us," he said.

"I was walking past the Millennium Stadium the other day and noticed the French game was sold out.

"That's the last game of the tournament so to me that means people are anticipating that could be a Championship game.

"I think that's the expectation from the fans and we expect that as well and we'll put that pressure among ourselves."

Warburton, who was appointed captain for last autumn's World Cup, believes Wales will draw on their experience in New Zealand during the Six Nations.

Wales' preparations for that competition included two separate training camps in Poland last summer and they have returned to the country for a pre-Six Nations camp.

"As a group of players at the World Cup we were pretty good at staying away from the hype outside our training camp and ignoring what's going on the papers and what the press say," said the Cardiff Blues player.

"I think we did a good job of that in the World Cup. We managed to focus on the performance.

"I'm sure it will be the same thing this campaign as well and that will be our main priority.

"It's my third campaign now and I haven't had a Championship [title] win.

"I've spoken to senior players who have been involved in Grand Slams and Championship and they say it's fantastic. I'd love to experience that.

"If I'd put money on who was going to win it as a neutral I think it would be quite difficult to say.

"It's wide open which is why it makes it a great tournament this year. There's a lot of teams on a level playing field. I feel It will be an exciting one to watch for the public I'm sure."

Warburton says a good start against Ireland is essential as Wales seek their first Championship title since Warren Gatland's first campaign in charge in 2008.

Gatland's side have beaten Ireland in their previous two meetings but Warburton is well aware Wales lost the last time they travelled to Dublin in 2010.

"We remember we went out there two years ago and they beat us very well," said Warburton. "We were very disappointed with that.

"It's a massive game for us because if we could get a result out there it tees us up for four remaining games, three of which are at home.

"That's why a lot rides on that first game against Ireland. They've enjoyed playing against us as much as we've enjoyed playing against them.

"I know Dan [Lydiate] and Toby [Faletau] as well as myself think very highly of the Irish back-row.

"All of them as a unit and individuals are great players and are up there with the best in the world. It's a very tasty battle with the back-rows and it's one I'm really looking forward to."

A notable absentee from the Welsh squad for this season's Championship is wing Shane Williams, who bowed out of international rugby last December.

Although acknowledging Wales will miss the Ospreys player, Warburton says Wales have capable players to take his place.

"Of course I'd love it if Shane would have one more Six Nations," said Warburton.

"But everyone respects his decision to retire and you've got to call it a day some time otherwise you go on forever. [They're] massive boots to fill.

"But I think George [North] has done a job on the left wing a few times for us before and done very well.

"And we've got some good cover on the back three. Lee Byrne has been playing very well in France, Leigh Halfpenny's been exceptional for the Blues.

"So I think we're in quite a good situation when it comes to the backline. We've got some strength in depth there."