Phillips will get through - Howley

Mar 29 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

GRAND SLAM star Mike Phillips’ mental toughness will be put to the test by the serious knee injury that has ruled him of rugby for the next six months.

That’s the verdict of Wales attack coach Rob Howley, who is confident the Ospreys scrum-half has the resolve and determination to bounce back from such a devastating blow.

Phillips will undergo surgery next week having suffered tears to his cruciate and medial ligaments during last Saturday’s EDF Energy Cup semi-final victory over Saracens.

He will miss the rest of the season as the Ospreys go in search of an EDF and Heineken Cup double and also Wales’ summer tour of South Africa.

Reacting to the news, former scrum-half Howley said, “Mike has been in a rich vein of form throughout the Six Nations and has proved to us all what a top-quality player he is.

“Long-term injuries like this are a blow whenever they occur and it will be a test of Mike’s mental toughness and motivation for him to make sure he comes back to the same standard he had reached.

“I’m sure he’ll work as hard as ever to get himself back to the top level.

“In the meantime we have good cover in his position with both Dwayne Peel and Gareth Cooper now likely to be in the frame.”

It has also been confirmed that Blues openside flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor will miss Wales’ summer tour, he will be sidelined for four months following reconstructive surgery on his shoulder.