“We expected Italy to play the way they did, and sure enough they tested us the moment we were slightly off our game,” says Phillips, assessing Saturday’s 20-8 defeat of the Azzurre at the Stadio Pacifico Carotti in Ancona.
“They have a lot of experience in their ranks and, although we started the game very well, we gave away some sloppy penalties which gave them field position.”
It was this field position that “energised them as a team, and we paid the price,” as Phillips puts it, with Wales conceding an early try to the hosts. “The message at half-time was to stick to the plan, but not to try and force things and risk penalties – just keep our organisation in place.”
Once again, as in Dublin a fortnight ago, Wales showed the tenacity and level-headedness to steer the game back their way after early leads from their opponents. The hosts failed to score a single point in the second half, and Phillips gives his team credit for minimising the Italian threat.
“In every game Italy played in the Women’s Six Nations last year they were able to stretch teams. People need to understand that they are a very good side,” says Phillips, highlighting a run of three defeats for Wales in this fixture prior to last weekend.
“On the flipside, when we were in control, we were very much in control. There are some significant positives for us as a team, but we just need to keep that concentration and build the trust in what we’re doing.”
The biggest test for this year’s squad comes this Saturday morning at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, when they host England Women. Phillips acknowledges the magnitude of the task ahead for Wales. “It’s going to require a big step up for us against the world champions,” he admits. “This will be a totally different challenge again because of England Women’s full-time programme. They’ll be physically fit and strong, plus they’ve had a lot of contact time as far as preparation is concerned.”
Saturday, in a capital city that will be even more alive than usual thanks to this double-header (the men kick-off next door at 16:50), will be a significant marker to see how much Phillips’s players have grown as a group.
“I encourage people to come out and support the team on Saturday,” he says. “That 16th man, that extra lift, makes all the difference. It would be great to have a capacity Welsh crowd to spur on the team on what is a huge day for them.”
Wales Women v England Women kicks off at 11:30 this Saturday (11th February) at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. Tickets are available here.
