Mike Phillips will start against England for Wales in the World Cup, says Scott Quinnell
Thursday 10 September 2015 18:42, UK
Scott Quinnell believes that late call-up Mike Phillips will start for Wales against England at Twickenham in what could be a crucial World Cup pool match.
Talking to the Rugby Club Agenda, Quinnell, who played 52 times for Wales, said that while only a week ago Phillips was left out of Warren Gatland's final 31-man squad, now that he has been called up as an injury replacement for Rhys Webb, his experience could see him start at Twickenham.
When asked if there is now a chance for Phillips to jump from fourth choice to first, Quinnell said: "He doesn't do second or third.
"I expect the likes of Gareth Davies to play the first game against Uruguay and then maybe the Fiji game but I expect Mike to play in that game at Twickenham against England, because of the pressure.
"The pressure is always... he's been there, he's got that feel-good factor, he's won at Twickenham so it is going to be absolutely huge."
Quinnell was distraught for both Webb and Lee Halfpenny who have been ruled out of the World Cup due to injuries they sustained in Wales' final warm-up match against Italy.
But the former Lions' number eight feels Wales can cope with the blow.
He said: "It's heart-breaking for Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb.
"We were up doing the Glasgow game against Scarlets and there was enough drama there. We were getting the tweets and texts through. 'Webb had gone down, he's gone off, looks serious' and then all of a sudden 'Halfpenny and it looks bad'.
"We get home on the Sunday and it's devastating news. Not only for the three million Welsh people, but of course for the Welsh camp and more importantly for the two players.
"We know how hard they have worked over the last number of years but especially over the last couple of months in the training camp in Switzerland and Qatar, coming back and looking in great shape. Knocks the sail out of the wind!
"Just a little bit mind. Not for too long. We've got Liam Williams to come back in and Mike Phillips, the great saviour, is back in the squad. He's back over and so everything will be alright. When the dust settles, we will be OK."
