A WELSH international legend paid a visit to Rhyl and District Rugby Club for a special event recently.

More than 60 aspiring stars attended the Rugby Academy session held by Mike Phillips, who is the most capped scrum half in Welsh history during a standout career that spanned more than a decade.

Those in attendance learned some valuable skills from the ex-British Lions standout over a three-day period at the club’s impressive facility at Ty Newydd, and Phillips also took part in a game of touch rugby with the newly formed ladies’ side during his stay at the site.

Phillips was on hand to present the club’s youth team with a new kit after they clinched a four-year sponsorship with NWPS Construction Ltd, who will spearhead the club’s Academy system during that time period.

This is a perfect platform for players to develop their skills before making the jump to competitive action and possible progression to the first team, with the programme producing players such as Saracens squad member Sam Wainwright in recent years.

In addition to his on-the-field exploits, Phillips was also the special guest at a dinner evening held at the club, which attracted more than 100 people.

During the event, Phillips told some tales from his headline-making time within the professional game and took part in a question and answer session to conclude the evening.