Phillips, the daughter of Neath Director of Rugby, Rowland Phillips, has forced her way into the starting line-up after impressing as a replacement for incumbent hooker, Lowri Harries, against France and Australia.
A tyro in the loose, Phillips, has started just once before for Wales in her collection of 13 caps, and she is fully aware to keep the Number 2 shirt from Harries, she will have to play out of her skin. Harries has held a firm grip on the hooking berth over the past couple of seasons but she now has a genuine threat to her position.
“I wouldn’t say I have knocked Lowri off her perch,” said a modest Phillips. “Hopefully, if I work hard against South Africa I will get to start the next game as well. Lowri is a very good player herself and deserved the shirt and I can guarantee that when she comes on she will want the shirt back as well.
“I’m very excited to be starting and obviously a bit nervous because it is a massive stage to play on at the World Cup but hopefully I can take my opportunity now that it has come.”
Both South Africa and Wales have yet to win a game in the World Cup with France and Australia leading the way in Pool C. Despite Wales being dominant at the set-piece, their efforts have proved in vain but Phillips is optimistic Wales can finally break their duck.
“From the last two games against France and Australia, the scoreboard hasn’t reflected the way we have performed. Going into the South Africa game we have tweaked a few things so hopefully we will come away with a win.”
Women’s Rugby World Cup:
Wales Women v South Africa Women, Saturday 9 Aug, 4pm (UK), Marcoussis
15 Laurie Harries (Llandaff North)
14 Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic)
13 Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North)
12 Rebecca de Filippo (Bristol Ladies)
11 Dyddgu Hywel (Bristol Ladies)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Ladies)
9 Sian Moore (Bristol Ladies);
8 Sioned Harries (Llandaff North)
7 Rachel Taylor (Bristol Ladies – Capt)
6 Catrina Nicholas (Llandaff North)
5 Shona Powell-Hughes (Neath Athletic)
4 Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North)
3 Catrin Edwards (Bristol Ladies)
2 Carys Phillips (Bristol Ladies)
1 Meg York (Blaenau Gwent)
Replacements:
16 Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic)
17 Jenny Davies (Waterloo)
18 Cerys Hale (Pontyclun Falcons)
19 Sian Williams (Worcester)
20 Amy Day (Llandaff North)
21 Elli Norkett (Neath Athletic)
22 Rafiuke Taylor (Pontyclun Falcons)
