Lions star Mike Phillips says he will not miss Wales’ forthcoming tour of New Zealand.
The Ospreys scrum-half has revealed that he is still having trouble with an ankle injury that kept him out for a large part of the season but he is determined to play for his country this summer.
Phillips, who played in all three Tests for the Lions in South Africa last year, insists his ankle is continually healing and that there is no danger of him asking Warren Gatland for a summer off.
”Coming back from injury has been tough, even in the last couple of games — the injury has still been niggling me a bit,” he told the South Wales Evening Post.
”It’s still there. It takes a while to warm up and stuff and is a bit annoying at times. But it is getting better with each week.’
”I definitely want to go to New Zealand. ‘I’ve missed most of the season, so I want to end it on a high by going over there, playing well and hopefully picking up a big scalp.”
Wales are due to play two Tests against the All Blacks as they take on the World’s No1 ranked side after another mouth-watering encounter with Lions’ conquerors the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium on June 5.
And Phillips, who is rated alongside South Africa’s Fourie du Preez as the best No9 in the global game, believes a Wales squad packed full of Lions has a realistic chance of returning from New Zealand with a stunning series win.
”It’s a very important tour in terms of our preparations for the World Cup and developing confidence,” added Phillips.
”New Zealand are a great side, with a great record, but it’s a key time for us.
“We have to go over there, have a look at ourselves, perform really well and see where we are as a group of people.
“We have great players and there’s no reason why we can’t go over there and perform well — and who knows what will happen?”
