The Exiles beat Bristol 21-20 at the Memorial Stadium to triumph 48-28 on aggregate over the two legs of the RFU Championship play-off.
The result means London Welsh have bounced back to the top flight of English rugby at the first attempt following last season’s relegation and they will now lock horns with the likes of Leicester, Northampton, Saracens and Harlequins rather than Rotherham, Moseley and Plymouth.
“What a terrific performance,” Phillips told BBC Radio Oxford after late tries from Carl Kirwan and Seb Stegmann sealed promotion at the expense of the tournament table toppers.
“That sums up London Welsh and we are worthy champions. It’s a true testament to the character of this squad. We’ll have a few new signings but I think we are in a lot better shape than we were two years ago.”
“We were on the ropes but the strength and character got us through and we got our rewards,” added Ross, who kicked two penalties, a conversion and drop goal in a faultless display from the tee for the second week running.
“Credit to Bristol; they came out firing but our defence was strong. The forwards really manned up and they were outstanding. (Head coach) Justin Burnell has done a fantastic job and everyone really worked hard for each other.”
Burnell and his team have defied the critics all year after they were largely written off prior to the start of the season.
The heartbreaking nature of their relegation from the Premiership was followed by the loss of a number of their big-names, while Bristol recruited heavily in signing the likes of former Wales fly-half Nicky Robinson under the guidance of ex-England and Scotland boss Andy Robinson and former Ospreys supremo Sean Holley.
Welsh finished eight points adrift of the West Country outfit in the regular season but they saved their best to last as they produced a stunning display in Oxford a week ago and followed it up with a huge defensive effort last night.
Ex-Cardiff Blues coach Burnell, who only took over from Newport Gwent Dragons-bound Lyn Jones at the start of the season, believes Welsh are back where they deserve to be, although he admits they will need to strengthen if they are to stay up for longer than a single season.
“This means everything…but it’s more important for the famous name of London Welsh. It’s back where it belongs. It’s next to your Leicesters, your Saracens and your Northamptons. That’s what it’s all about,” said Burnell.
“We’ll have to realistically look at 12 to 15 additional members for the squad and that doesn’t mean all first choice. You’ve got to strengthen in those numbers to accommodate all competitions.
“It’s pointless going up there just making the numbers up but we’re also under no ridiculous illusion that we’re going to do more than stay up. Our primary target is purely just that.”
