Wales legend Mike Phillips doesn't think Warren Gatland should have returned to the Wales job and says Louis Rees-Zammit is the only world-class player Wales have right now.
The five-time British and Irish Lion appeared as a guest on The Central Club podcast, giving his views on the current squad ahead of the looming Rugby World Cup kicking off in September. Phillips was an almost ever-present in Gatland's team throughout his initial tenure and while he said he was the perfect man to take over in 2007 he is not convinced now.
"For him, personally, it's a great decision - but is he the right guy? I would probably say no, because everyone has a period of time," Phillips, who played for Wales 94 times, said. "He was good for the period he was here, and then you move on. It's the same with players, you have your time and then you move on. You can't play forever."
Phillips' own international career came to an end in 2015 when he made three appearances for Wales off the bench in the Six Nations. Gatland later omitted him from his Rugby World Cup squad that year before drafting him as cover for Rhys Webb. But Phillips didn't play a minute at the tournament, with Gareth Davies and Lloyd Williams selected ahead of him.
Phillips went on to discuss Wales' chances at the Rugby World Cup and the strength of the current group of players after a difficult period which saw them finish fifth in the Six Nations and avert a strike at the 11th hour.
"I think if we beat Portugal then we've done quite well!" he joked.
"I don't know. We all want Wales to be a success and hopefully they can do the business. We've got an easier side to the draw. There's a chance of kicking on after the quarter-finals. If we get to the semi-final it will be a massive achievement."
Phillips, 40, was also asked to name Wales' world-class players heading to France and simply answered: "Zammit". The former Ospreys scrum-half said: "I did actually text him, I've never met him. I said 'well done mate, you're the next Mike Phillips so you've got a lot of pressure on your shoulders!'" Asked if he replied, he said: "Yeah, he loves it!"
The ex-No. 9 believes the current squad, and rugby in general, is lacking the personalities and characters from his era, which saw the likes of Phillips, Gavin Henson and Andy Powell make headlines on the back and front pages.
He added: "It was special. You had characters in the game, you had Gavin Henson. I don't think people really appreciate how amazing that guy was. As a character as well, he was going out with a famous girlfriend [Charlotte Church], he drew people in. What a talent as well.
"There were good characters when I played. Maybe those characters have kind of gone from the game a little bit now. I think it's a bit stale in some ways, but I was very lucky looking back. It's important to create those heroes and give kids people to look up to. Obviously they're doing great, but make them larger than life. Everyone is a bit safe with what they say now, players go into their shell a little bit.
"Zammit, he's the next one. He's the man isn't he, Zammit. I like watching him, he's always on holiday, on a boat or something! He's living the life, which is good. It's good to see them having a laugh and enjoying themselves."
You can watch The Central Club full podcast here.
READ NEXT:
