The Beast from the East may have affected training – a challenge at the best of times when players travel from as far away as Blaenau Ffestiniog and London – but Phillips prefers to look ahead rather than dwell on disruption. After all, for Wales Women, the game of a lifetime awaits at Principality Stadium.
That said, Phillips knows it would be remiss not to comment on the match in Donnybrook a fortnight ago. “Having reviewed the Ireland game, I have to say we’re not in bad shape,” he says in light of the 35-12 loss. “We’re not far off where we need to be. I know the score would suggest it was a hammering, but it could have been the other way around and nobody would have batted an eyelid.”
Importantly for him, the players recognise the small margins that need to be worked on. “Doing that makes a huge difference, but there’s no panic because we’re building something over the long term,” says Phillips. “Ireland got into our half twice and scored twice in the first 40 minutes, so the score was disproportionate to the actual performance. We created a number of opportunities that we didn’t finish off.”
Any lingering frustration from that day in Dublin will be channelled into the performance at Principality Stadium this weekend. Phillips says: “It’s a huge opportunity for us, and it’s great that the WRU has given us this chance to play in the best stadium in the world. There’s an incentive there in the venue alone, but our focus needs to be Italy and getting our game right.”
He is pleased with the development of this youthful Wales Women team, which has capped seven new players since the first round of the tournament. “They’re in the perfect place to be improving as players. The most important lessons you learn are from actually playing, and at Principality Stadium they have the chance to take another step in their development.”
Does the fact that Wales Women are playing their match before the corresponding men’s fixture signal a sign of the times for the game? “Women’s rugby is growing at a very quick pace in this country,” says Phillips. “This is an indication of how the WRU is really supporting us, and acknowledging that there’s a lot of interest and enthusiasm regarding the women’s game.”
As for the opposition, Phillips should know a thing or two about Italian rugby after enjoying spells coaching Aironi and Viadana. “Italy have played some tough games already, and what they’ve done this year – which they haven’t done for a while – is play a couple of pre-season games against France,” he says. “You can tell that they are developing their game, and are a threat across the board. They’ve got some excellent players, so there’s no shortage of talent there.”
With the game being played on Mothering Sunday, and girls’ rugby participation numbers increasing across Wales, does he think there’s been shift in the mindset of mothers when it comes to letting their girls play rugby? “The way the game is going and being managed, I think mothers are less reluctant to let their daughters play,” replies Phillips. “In fact, in my experience, all I’ve seen is mums being supportive of their girls. It’s fantastic for them and for the game.”
For his daughter Carys, Wales’ captain, rugby was always going to be on the cards. Carys’ grandfather on her mother Sally’s side was Brian Thomas, a highly-regarded lock for Wales in the 1960s. As former Neath flanker (and Wales international himself) Rowland puts it: “There wasn’t much resistance. I don’t think the ballet costume was ever taken out of the box! With an older brother, Lloyd, who was really keen on rugby too, Sally knew Carys was always going to choose rugby and was very supportive.”
Appropriately, this Thursday sees the celebration of International Women’s Day as well. In a squad full of role models for girls, Phillips cites the likes of scrum-half Jade Knight and centre Kerin Lake, both mothers to young children, as two impressive examples.
“Being a mother and balancing work and international rugby on top of that is a lot of pressure,” says Phillips. “They’re both talented rugby players who cope with those challenges very professionally. I give great credit to them and the families who support them in a way that allows them to capitalise on their talent and hard work.”
Wales Women v Italy Women kicks off at 11:45 at Principality Stadium this Sunday. Tickets cover both games in the double-header, and can be purchased here.
