Phillips on final warning but still set to play in World Cup

Mike Phillips will meet with members of the Wales management team and senior players on Tuesday, in an attempt to keep alive his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

On Friday, the 28-year-old scrum half was suspended from all international duties, following a late-night confrontation in Cardiff city centre. Phillips, who last week agreed to join Bayonne, had to be restrained by bouncers outside a fast-food restaurant in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Independent on Sunday understands that the 52-times capped half-back, who toured South Africa with the Lions in 2009, will be told that unless his behaviour improves he will put in jeopardy his chance of playing in the World Cup, in New Zealand in September. It is also understood that after Phillips' suspension, the Welsh World Cup training squad were addressed by the management and reminded of their responsibilities on and off the field.

The management were embarrassed by the public nature of the incident and deeply disappointed that Phillips, a senior player, had broken a strict code of conduct that he and his fellow players signed at the beginning of last season. The three-page document, which covers issues on and off the field, was agreed after lengthy consultation. It involves a strict fines system for yellow and red cards on the pitch and outlines the procedure to deal with players who step out of line away from the field of play.

Phillips, who was one of six players warned about his conduct in 2009, after a night out in Cardiff, has been replaced in the squad by the uncapped Cardiff Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams. However, although a final warning will be dished out by the national coach, Warren Gatland, this week, Phillips could be invited back into the squad as early as next week, providing he shows a significant level of remorse. Such a decision would allow the former Llanelli, Blues and Ospreys' half-back to take his place in the squad for a trip to Poland, on 30 June, for the first of two World Cup training camps.

This latest high-profile incident has highlighted what many believe to be a deep-seated problem in the Welsh game. As well as Phillips' previous brush with controversy, the No 8 Andy Powell was banned for one match after a drink-fuelled incident during the 2010 Six Nations and the defence coach, Shaun Edwards, and sports scientist Fergus Connollywere suspended for seven days earlier this year, over an incident after a home win over Ireland.

Powell, Jamie Roberts and Bradley Davies have also been involved in bar-based incidents recently, while Gavin Henson, who was not then in the national squad, was suspended by Toulon after a fight in a bar.

Phillips might escape with a telling off and a short-term ban. However, the Welsh management's actions are an important reminder that in the build-up to the World Cup, such behaviour will not be tolerated. Phillips, who has kept his silence, has been given a final warning.

* Dai Young is in talks to become the director of rugby at Wasps, writes Matt Lloyd. The Cardiff Blues coach is favourite for the post; the former Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner was also interviewed but he has not been offered the job. Leon Holden took over at Wasps when Tony Hanks left last season, but he has moved to Japan. Young, 43, is the longest serving head coach in Welsh rugby, after nine years with the Blues. A move to Wasps would see him link up with the Wales defence coach, Shaun Edwards, and the former Blues fly-half Nicky Robinson. The Ospreys have approached the All Black centre Ma’a Nonu, who is looking to move to Europe after the World Cup.