Peter Stringer and Donncha O’Callaghan have been surpassed among 100-cap nearly men

So close. So very, very close.

There's a new face at the top of the list of 100-cap heartbreak as Mike Phillips today called time on his international career. The Welsh scrum-half has retired from the highest level of the sport on 99 caps (94 Wales, 5 Lions), having missed out on the milestone century mark after failing to appear in any of Wales's World Cup matches. Phillips becomes the only player to retire within one game of 100 caps, going even closer than Munster pair Donncha O'Callaghan and Peter Stringer, who each finished their illustrious careers on 98 internationals. "This is a chance for me to bring this chapter of my life to a close," said 33-year-old Phillips, who currently plays for French club Racing 92. "Playing for Wales has been such a huge part of my adult life and this is a chance for me to say thank you to everyone from family and friends, the coaches and management of the Welsh Rugby Union, all of the great players that I have been fortunate enough to play with and against and of course the fantastic Welsh fans for their great support. "It was always a dream of mine to play for Wales, it meant everything to me and it's an amazing feeling to represent your country. For me it was a privilege."