Phillips eager to make number nine jersey his own

WALES scrumhalf Mike Phillips is ready to unleash two years of pent-up frustration after being selected ahead of arch-rival Dwayne Peel for the first time in his career.

Phillips has been rewarded for his performance in the win over England by retaining the number nine jersey for today’s clash with Scotland, restricting the fit-again Peel to a place on the bench.

The majority of Phillips’ career has been spent in Peel’s shadow, initially at the Llanelli Scarlets and lately with Wales.

His frustration peaked in the build-up to the World Cup, when previous coach Gareth Jenkins told him he was only in the squad as Peel’s back-up.

Even when Phillips played against Japan it was so Peel could be rested — and despite producing a barnstorming performance, there was no doubt who would start in the crunch pool game against Fiji the following week.

As a result, Phillips has welcomed Warren Gatland’s hard new regime like a breath of fresh air and is determined to take his chance.

“I am enjoying it much more,” said Phillips, who scored the winning try last weekend as Wales won at Twickenham for the first time since 1988.

“I feel much more part of the squad now and that has given me a lot more confidence.

“I think the last regime was really a bit behind Dwayne, but the new coaches are a bit more open-minded. It is very positive to be able to feel that.

“The first game against England was outstanding and has given me a lot of confidence.

“I’m absolutely delighted to keep my place against Scotland — it’s another chance for me to play for Wales and hopefully things will go right.”

Wales have moved out of the traditional home changing room at the Millennium Stadium for today’s game.

Wales’ new surroundings were synonymous with the “away team hoodoo” after the first 12 major cup finals to be staged at the Millennium Stadium were won by teams in the other changing room.

Meanwhile Andy Henderson admits Scotland are entering “sink or swim” territory against the Welsh.

Defeat today in the Welsh capital would be a crushing blow for Frank Hadden’s side and leave them perilously vulnerable to finishing with the Wooden Spoon for the third time in five seasons.

Centre Andy Henderson is hoping to put the nightmare of last week’s 27-6 home defeat to France behind by helping Scotland to a famous victory.

But the team suffered a pre-match blow this morning when wing Simon Webster pulled out with a hamstring problem, meaning Chris Paterson switches to the number 11 role from fullback as Hugo Southwell comes into the side.

Scotland might be weakened by the absence of Webster, and Wales, following their startling victory at Twickenham last weekend and Scotland’s defeat, are firm favourites for victory today.

Henderson admitted: “Rugby is all about momentum and the first game in any tournament is so important — and that is especially the case in the Six Nations which is such a short, sharp competition.

“But the championship goes on and the games are going to be there regardless, so it is a case of sink or swim for us.

“Obviously it’s hard to take confidence from a defeat, but we know where we went wrong and we believe we can fix it.

“This one on Saturday has come along quite quickly and we’ve got to go in with belief and confidence if we are to have a chance.”