Phillips wants the jersey back
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Controversial Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips has insisted he is not ready to allow Rhys Webb a free run in the Wales No.9 jersey
The Racing Metro man still has strong aspirations of becoming the first choice again after slipping down the pecking order for Wales in the past few years.
The France-based former Lions star had to play second fiddle to an in-form Webb throughout the November Tests and with the Six Nations just around the corner it seems that he will remain Wales' deputy scrumhalf.
But Phillips is defiant in terms of his international future, and after his club Racing Metro drew 19-19 with the Ospreys in the European Champions Cup at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, he said he isn't going to go anywhere quietly.
"Rhys is looking sharp, isn't he?" Phillips said.
"It wasn't really a duel between us. I just try to concentrate on my game. He's doing well, to be fair — it's good for him.
"My duel is with myself more than anything.
"Rhys is a young player, while I'm in a totally different position.
"I have to keep myself sharp and fit. For me, the duel is to make sure I'm on song and I'm ready.
"I'm still hungry for it. I still want to fight for the [Wales] jersey. I still want to represent my country. It's the best thing in the world. I'm still as keen as mustard."
Phillips complimented his former side the Ospreys for the way they have performed this season after Racing threw away a winning position.
"The youngsters they have are superb and they showed what they're all about in the last 10 minutes on Saturday when they came back really strongly," Phillips told the South Wales Evening Post.
"They have their old heads as well — Alun Wyn Jones, Biggs [Dan Biggar], Webby and Tips [Justin Tipuric].
"They also have a lot of players out. They've done really well over the last couple of years to develop these youngsters. They're looking really good.
Wales Online
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