Bath Rugby James Phillips wants set-piece consistency to go with flashes of power
The lock made his first competitive start for the 1st XV against London Irish
Updated 13:39, 6 NOV 2017
James Phillips wants to see set-piece consistency added to the flashes of power they showed against London Irish.
The powerful forward has featured in most of Bath Rugby's Premiership and Champions Cup games this season but had only racked up 96 minutes from the bench for the 1st XV before the Anglo-Welsh Cup kicked off on the weekend.
He played the full 80 minutes of the 26-22 win and was part of a pack which dominated some scrums but lost concentration in others.
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With Leicester Tigers next up at the Rec on Friday night, Phillips wants a more tuned collective effort.
"I think there was a lot of good stuff," he said after the win the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
James Phillips carries hard against Leinster (Image: Patrick Khachfe/Onside Images)
"Our scrum was really good in dribs and drabs. It's more consistency with our lineout and scrums that we want.
"Our maul defence was good. We knew they would be mauling a lot and that we'd have to bring it today."
Phillips, who started his career as a number eight and is also no stranger to blindside, was brought in from his home club Bristol in the summer.
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He has mainly been used to back up the likes of Charlie Ewels, Luke Charteris and Elliott Stooke in the second row.
The 30-year-old added: "I was really pleased with the win and just glad to get 80 minutes under my belt.
"I played in the A League a few weeks ago but it was good to get another 80 for the first team.
Matt Garvey is tackled by Max Northcote-Green and co (Image: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
"Al Ryan (high performance manager) keeps on top of us if we come off the bench and don't get as much game time.
"I've done a lot of fitness after games, then on Mondays and Tuesdays as well to keep topped up ready for when I play."
Phillips caught a stray boot to the head against Irish, which split the top of his head open.
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Some Vaseline, a bandage, a scrum cap and four stitches after the game sorted him out.
He may be relatively new to the club but he was one of the most experienced amongst the starting pack and replacements.
Ben Tapuai celebrates Bath Rugby's Anglo-Welsh Cup win at London Irish (Image: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
"The young boys coming through are good," Phillips said.
"Obviously Garvs has got a lot of experience and myself, but those young players don't actually need that much guidance.
The standout performers from Bath Rugby's 26-22 Anglo-Welsh Cup win at London Irish
"The likes of Josh (Bayliss) has come through the academy but he's played for England under-20s.
"His workrate, his actions with and without the ball are impressive. He's a hell of a player."