FORMER Wales star Mark Ring believes Mike Phillips is “lucky” to be allowed back into the national squad but welcomes the return of a key player for the World Cup.

The 28-year-old scrum-half was banned from Wales’ World Cup training squad earlier this month after a late-night altercation in Cardiff city centre.

But Phillips has apologised to coach Warren Gatland and his teammates, vowing there will be not repeat of his “embarrassing” incident.

Photographs were taken showing the Bayonne-bound star held down by a bouncer in Queen Street before being led away in handcuffs by police. He is not facing criminal charges.

Cross Keys attack coach Ring, who won 32 caps for Wales as a centre and outside-half between 1983 and 1991, said he hopes Phillips, no stranger to off the field controversies, will put it all behind him.

“Mike is a professional rugby player who has done something daft and apologised for it,” the former Pontypool and Cardiff playmaker said.

“He is a guy who is paid a massive amount of money and sometimes you would expect him to understand that he’s a role model as well.”

But Ring, recently appointed as backs skills coach with the Newport Gwent Dragons’ Junior Academy Programme at Cross Keys College, added: “He is a lucky man to be allowed back into the squad, there’s no question about that. Let’s hope he has learned his lesson.”

Ring, a Triple Crown winner in 1988, said Gatland needs all of the nation’s finest talent at his disposal for Wales to be able to compete in New Zealand this autumn.

“This close to the World Cup, we need all our best players available,” he said.

“Mike has consistently been one of our finest performers over the last few years.

“He was one of the several Welsh guys who started in the Tests for the Lions in South Africa in 2009.

“We need everyone fit to provide the backbone of a Wales side who ought to be competitive in the World Cup.”

A colourful figure on and off the field, Ring was someone who enjoyed rugby’s social side during his playing career but he said the game has changed dramatically since professionalism was introduced in 1995.

“Everyone used to have their bit of fun,” he said. “But these days things are much more in the public arena and there is a big difference between the amateur and professional ethos.

“Players these days are expected to reach a certain standard in what is a full-time job. When I was playing I remember being stressed out at having a 9 to 5 job and having to bust a gut to maintain my fitness levels.”