Phillips and O’Gara look to share bragging rights

MIKE PHILLIPS will have to curb his natural instincts to shout at Ronan O’Gara when the duo line out for the British & Irish Lions against The Sharks this evening.

The two players got 13 minutes playing together in the opening game against the Royal XV, but the game in Durban will be their first start as a unit. The 6ft 3in, 16st 3lbs Phillips is the odds on favourite to play in the first Test against the Springboks at the Absa Stadium next week.

O’Gara wants to make the most of his opportunity – especially as first choice centre Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll are further down the three quarter line. But the two men had to agree to bury the hatchet before they arrived in South Africa after years of slagging one another off.

O’Gara held bragging rights from last season, given he dropped the goal that won Ireland the Grand Slam at the Millennium Stadium and then guided Munster to a massive win over the Ospreys in the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup, but Phillips has had his moments too.

“We’ve had a few slagging matches over the years on the pitch. Whenever you play you try to get under people’s skin – it’s all part of the game,” said Philips. “But I don’t think Ronan is a man who can be intimidated. Before the Grand Slam game between Wales and Ireland earlier this year we had a few words. We’ve laughed about it since and it’s going to be a great honour to play with him. He is one of the best No 10s in the world and he’s proved that time after time.

“He is a catalyst for Ireland and Munster and he has won almost everything in the game with them.”

While Phillips instinctively knows where to find his Wales outside half partner Stephen Jones, building a new partnership with O’Gara won’t be easy. But the Welshman isn’t too concerned.

“As long as there is good communication, we’ll be fine. That’s something we’ve been working hard on. It isn’t difficult to adapt to a different No 10 – I’ve just got to find him and deliver the goods. I’ve got to know Ronan very well on this tour and we’ve had a real laugh together. We’ve roomed together and the only problem is that he has terrible dress sense.”