The Scarlets front rower made his international debut in Japan last summer as Wales shared a two-Test series with the Brave Blossoms.
This season has seen Phillips secure more game time at Parc y Scarlets, earning him a place in Warren Gatland’s squad for clashes with South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia.
The Springboks provide a stern physical test first up and Phillips is enjoying being part of the build-up.
“This is a huge step-up so I’m chuffed to bits to get the call-up and training has been brilliant so far,” he said.
“I think the boys are excited. Obviously a lot of them are coming back from a very successful Lions tour.
“South Africa have done really well in the last few months so it’s a huge challenge early doors and I think the boys would probably prefer that, getting thrown in at the deep end straight away.”
Phillips will be vying for a Test spot with the more experienced Hibbard and Owens.
“From watching Hibbs’ games from the summer, he’s a hugely physical player and he can create game-changing moments just from big hits or big carries,” he added.
“Ken’s a similar kind of player. They are very physical and I’ve picked up a lot of technical stuff from scrummaging against them. I’m the most inexperienced of the three so I’m just trying to take in as much as possible.”
The last few seasons have seen Phillips feature mainly as a replacement for the Scarlets. And with Owens and young hooker Kirby Myhill now providing competition in Simon Easterby’s squad, Phillips is used to fighting for his position.
“It has been a bit frustrating at times over the last few years but obviously I’m just trying to push Ken as hard as I can and there’s Kirby down there and a few other young hookers as well,” he added.
“It’s hard enough to get a game at regional level at the moment so down here I am trying to take it all in and whatever I can learn from Hibbs and a few of the other forwards.
“Any chance of any game time and I’ll be over the moon.”
Tickets to see Wales in action at the Millennium Stadium in the 2013 Dove Men Series – against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia – on consecutive weekends from 9th November are available online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets – prices from £25, £10 concession.
Wales Dove Men Series 2013 fixtures:
Wales v South Africa – Saturday, 9 November, Kick-Off 5.30pm – £70 / £60 / £40 / £25
Wales v Argentina – Saturday, 16 November, Kick-Off 2.30pm – £40 / £30 / £10 concession (U16) /£70 Family ticket 2 adults + 2 concession
Wales v Tonga – Friday, 22 November, Kick-Off 7.30pm – £25 / £10 concession/ £60 Family ticket 2 adult + 2 concession/ Minis/Juniors/Schools offer, with every 8 concessions purchased 2 adult tickets free
Wales v Australia – Saturday, 30 November, Kick-Off 5.00pm – £70 / £60 / £40 / £25
