Wales rugby super star Mike Phillips has issued a ringing endorsement of his club of origin, Whitland Junior Borderers, as they hit the road this week accompanied by Welsh Rugby Union mascot Scorch to drum up support for a summer Funday at Parc Dr Owen this Sunday, July 12, starting at 2 pm.

The 93-times capped Phillips, who is currently in Switzerland on a gruelling training camp with Wales' Rugby World Cup training squad, began his rugby education with the Borderers and he has sent a message back home telling youngsters that there is no better place to start than Whitland rugby club to get your first taste of rugby action.

Coaches and players from the club have been joined this week by the official WRU dragon mascot Scorch on a flying visit around junior schools in the Whitland area to spread the news of the fun day to be held this weekend.

Scorch will also be making a special appearance at the Funday to delight the junior Borderers, who field teams starting at under 7s level, as the club that produced Phillips and fellow internationals Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams together with Scarlets tyro James Davies begins its new search for the stars of tomorrow.

Boys and girls of all ages are invited to the event to meet the coaches and existing players at Whitland and sample what the club has to offer and, with no strings attached. The free to enter event will provide a host of entertainment for both youngsters and adults, with tug-of-war, inflatables and rugby themed games and competitions - and prizes.

"Whitland is a great place to enjoy your rugby from a young age," said Phillips, from Fiesch in Switzerland, where Wales are based at 2250m above sea level for an intensive block of training - living at high altitude whilst training at low altitude.

"I know their fully qualified coaches put a strong emphasis on fun and participation for all levels of ability and I was pleased to be able to get directly involved and sponsor the U7s myself for the last few seasons and I get down there whenever I can.

"I wish the Borderers all the best with the season ahead and would recommend anyone wanting to get their kids involved with a rugby club to go down on Sunday and find out what it's all about?

"It's no coincidence that Whitland has produced a host of current internationals and there are more coming through, we all started somewhere and for the likes of myself, Scott Wiliams, Jonathan and James Davies that somewhere was Whitland."

The Borderers' youngest side carry Mike Phillips's twitter handle on their playing jersey after he sponsored them last season and anyone looking for further information about this weekend's event could check his timeline at @mikephillips009.

Scorch and the Borderers coaches have also visited schools including Tavernspite and Whitland primary to drum up support this week and distributed leaflets throughout the town, but anyone needing further information can contact [email protected]">[email protected] or call Claire on 07789628471.