One of Wales most-capped rugby players in Mike Phillips was in attendance at the Victoria Book Shop on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, last week to sign copies of his book ‘Half Truths’ and the large crowd who queued to buy the book also found the ‘Welsh Legend’ to be a very genial and pleasant man who not only signed copies aplenty but posed for many photographs and chatted to everyone who turned up.
 
Phillips, who started out as a youth player for Whitland and played his last-ever game for ‘The Borderers’ last Saturday in a victory over Aberystwyth, was capped 94 times for his country, including World Cups in 2007 and 2011, and was a British Lion in South Africa (2009) and Australia (2013), gaining five caps.
 
In a long career also played club rugby for Llanelli, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, French clubs Bayonne and Racing 92, plus in England for Sale Sharks.



 

‘Incidents’ described with typical honesty

 
Throughout that time he established a reputation as a very abrasive player who rubbed up some coaches and administrators the wrong way and had several incidents outside his playing career which hit the national press – and he certainly doesn’t shirk from discussing them in his autobiography!
 
In fact the autobiography starts with him lying on the floor of a night club with two bouncers pinning him down and a camera very close to his face!
 
The long queue outside the shop was testament to his popularity and in the evening he was off to Tenby for another signing session, with more in prospect in West Wales and further afield.
 
They will have the treat of reading about a rugby player who never shirked anything in his play but also made mistakes off it which he recognises now in this fascinating book.
 

Fitting foreword from Irish colossus Paul O’Connell

 
Irish colossus Paul O’Connell wrote the foreword and said of Mike Phillips:
“Mike was an absolute nightmare to play against but it was a genuine pleasure to play alongside him. He’s become a great friend. ….
“It’s a friendship that comes from a good place. It comes from respect.”
 
Everyone went away delighted to have met him and been shown great courtesy and time, something that isn’t always in evidence when famous people sign their books!
 
They will undoubtedly enjoy the book and good news for those who were unable to attend the Victoria Bookshop in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest there are still a few signed copies of ‘Half Truths’ left.
 
So just contact Marley Davies at the shop and he will be delighted to provide you with a great Christmas present for someone – or a great read for yourself!