Phillips calls time on pro career to focus on coach role

TOM Phillips – the last man to lead Wales to an U20 Six Nations Grand Slam – is stepping back from professional rugby at the age of just 26.

The back-row forward, who saw last season wiped out by injury, is moving into coaching with the Scarlets academy.

Former Llandovery flanker Phillips has been handed a role as development skills coach.

“It is fantastic to have someone of Tom’s calibre to help guide the next generation of Scarlets,” said development pathway manager Kevin George. “He has all the qualities to make an excellent coach.”

Phillips was released as a player by the Scarlets in 2021 after a hip injury was followed by Covid. But he returned to answer an SOS amid injuries in pre-season and performed so well the region pushed a new contract his way.

But in his first outing of the

United Rugby Championship campaign he sustained knee damage against Edinburgh, ruling him out for the season.

Phillips said: “I am delighted to be able to be part of an academy which has a proud history of producing players for the professional and international game.”