BIG STAGE FOR IFAN

Pro 12 Debut for Ifan

Ifan Phillips made another step along a very promising career by playing his first game for the Ospreys in the Pro12 on the weekend.  The former Ysgol Y Preseli pupil, who many have seen gracing the fields of Parc Lloyd Thomas with his hometown club Crymych, stepped on the field of the Liberty Stadium in front of a noisy crowd of around 7,000 on Sunday afternoon. Writes Guto Davies.

After a disappointing result in Murrayfield on Saturday for the national team, this was a chance for another Scotland side to rub salt into the wounds of the Welsh supporters; however this wasn’t to be with the Ospreys securing a bonus point success against the Glasgow Warriors, winning 26-15.

With fifteen minutes of play remaining, hooker Phillips entered the field, replacing starting hooker Hugh Gustafson to make his Pro 12 debut, another accolade to add to his ever-glistering rugby cv.

Speaking after the match Phillips said that he was pleased to finally get his Ospreys career under-way:

“I played in the LV Cup a few weeks back against a strong London Wasps side, but to finally get a Pro 12 game under the belt, it’s a good feeling. I’ve been working hard, and had some good fortune with a few absentees through injury and Welsh duties. But to play out there today was a good feeling. I’m pleased.”

After this achievement many will ask the question as to whether Ifan will following in the footsteps of his father Kevin, a key figure in the successful Neath team back in the glory days of the 80’s when the Welsh All Blacks ruled the roost.

Ifan has already proven he has the ability to play at a high level, gaining plenty of experience at Premiership level with Neath and Carmarthen Quins and he may well go on and enjoy  heady days with the Ospreys

However, it was at his hometown club, Crymych, in which Ifan’s talent had first been noticed. Phillips blossomed from a very young age, collecting silverware and several titles through the junior section and youth side, with his efficient set piece play and powerful carrying single handily winning some games for his club at times.

And he says that he has got a lot to thank the club: “I’ve got a lot to thank my club. Crymych RFC is a big part of my life, and I’ve had got some great memories there that will stay with me forever. It’s a special club.”  At still a young age and having already represented his country at under 20s level, it would seem that the sky is the limit for Phillips. However, his ambition for the upcoming seasons is to simply ‘play rugby.’ “I just want to play rugby. Hopefully I can get as much game time as possible at this level with the Ospreys, and just to carry on developing and improving as a player.”

Sportsline looks forward to watching Ifan progress even further.