MIKE Phillips believes he could be back to his best after a fine performance – which included a stunning solo interception try – helped Wales thrash Argentina 40-6.

The 31-year-old scrum-half scored his ninth touchdown for Wales on his 79th cap, finishing well from 70 metres after the Pumas launched a promising attack.

The past month has been a difficult one for the classy 6ft 3in and 15st 12lb who was fired by French club Bayonne over an allegation he turned up for a video analysis session under the influence of alcohol.

Last week he wasn’t at his best in Wales’ disappointing 24-15 defeat to South Africa.

But the 2009 and 2013 British and Irish Lions star got Wales off to a great start with his eight minute try, which included a cheeky little dummy, before setting up the second with his deft pass to wing George North who crossed soon after.

On being asked if he felt he was hitting top form again, Phillips, who has yet to sign for a new club, replied: “I’ve always rated myself really. I thought my all round game was good (against Argentina), defensively, perhaps I don’t get the credit for it, I stuck myself about a bit and I was pleased really.”

Phillips hopes Wales can now build momentum for the rest of the autumn which sees them face Tonga on Friday night before clashing with their big bogey side Australia, who battered Ireland 32-15 in Dublin, a week on Saturday, but the two-times Grand Slam winner insists they will have to become more clinical.

“Hopefully we can keep going,” he said. “We’ve got a tough Test against Tonga coming up and the Aussies then.

“We are fairly pleased against Argentina but we missed a few opportunities. It’s difficult – you need to praise yourself but you need to be critical as well to move on. It was a bit of a mix but all in all pleased really.

“If I’m being really critical, I thought we missed a few chances and we should have held on to the ball a little more in the second half.

“I thought we upped the tempo well and took it to the next level and I’m pretty pleased.”

On his long range try, Phillips said: “I knew I had the legs to get there! No, it gave us a good start to the game and it put us ten points up. I think if Argentina would have scored first, it would have been a tough game.

“It’s nice to get over the line but it was probably just as important I created one for George. “Scoring for Wales is a massive honour and it was important for the team.”