But the Ospreys star spent a night in cells having been arrested for an altercation with a taxi driver following his return from South Africa and fellow Welshman Neil Jenkins has advised him to ensure nothing takes away from his chances of performing well for Wales.
"Mike Phillips is treading a fine line if he wants to hold onto his Wales jersey," Jenkins, who toured with the Lions in 1997 and 2001 and acted as kicking coach this time around, said in his News of the World column.
"Losing your place in a team through form or injury is one thing... but having it taken away as punishment is another.
"Mike is probably the best scrum-half in the world, given the way he went toe-to-toe with the Springboks, but he's not doing himself any favours by getting on the wrong side of the law. We will have to wait and see what happens after the 'incident' in Penarth, but getting arrested is hardly likely to make him (Wales coach Warren) Gatland's favourite player."
It's not the first time Phillips' conduct has been in question but Jenkins himself understands the pressures today's professionals are under when it comes to being out in public.
Jenkins was cleared of public disorder charges back in 1997 and he hopes that Phillips' latest involvement with the police will be the last time the former Scarlets and Blues player has to go through a similar ordeal.
"That's hard in a goldfish bowl like Wales and it was a painful lesson I learned myself," added Jenkins.
"When you're out having a few drinks you have to be whiter than white because there's always one idiot who wants to have a pop at a big name and get a bit of attention for himself.
"Players are only human and few people understand the pressure these people are under, especially after such an intense seven weeks on a Lions tour. You can't shut yourself off and everyone needs to let off steam.
"He's a great player, but he has to take responsibility for his actions."
