Tuesday 1 December 2015 18:24, UK
Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has announced his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect.
The Racing 92 player featured in 99 Tests, 94 for his country and five for the British and Irish Lions.
Phillips won the Grand Slam with Wales in 2008 and 2012 as well as a further Six Nations Championship in 2013, having made a try-scoring debut in a 54-8 victory over Romania at Wrexham in August 2003.
The 33-year-old did not play in the recent World Cup, though, after he was left out of Warren Gatland's initial tournament squad.
He was subsequently recalled as cover for the injured Rhys Webb ahead of the opening game against Uruguay, but did not get the opportunity to feature.
"This is a chance for me to close a chapter of my life, playing for Wales has been a massive part of my life since I was 20 or 21, and to move on the next chapter," Phillips told the BBC.
Phillips played for three Welsh regions - the Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys - before moving to France in 2011, where he has played for Bayonne and now Racing 92.
He was particularly impressive on the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa where he was one of 13 Welsh players to be selected by Ian McGeechan.
Phillips won his final Wales cap in the 35-21 defeat to Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match in August.
"It's been amazing, a dream come true to play for Wales," Phillips added.
"Since I was young all I've wanted to do is play rugby for Wales. I've got some very special memories which I will cherish for the rest of my life.
"Nobody can take them away and I'm very proud of what I've achieved in the jersey and, hopefully, the next generation can go and achieve great things as well.
"This is a chance to say thank you to everyone, to family and friends, all the supporters, the Welsh Rugby Union, all the players I played with and the management.
"But it's also nice to put a close on it and move on to the next thing - whatever that is."
