Two appearances for Glamorgan followed as well as two trials for the Welsh national side before the Second World War intervened and Phillips joined the army.

[5] Opposing Phillips in the rugby league XV were three players he would later tour Australia and New Zealand with; Ernest Ward, Ike Owens and Trevor Foster.

Phillips performance in this game brought him to the attention of several rugby league clubs and he signed for Oldham towards the end of 1944.

[3][6] Remaining with Belle Vue Rangers until 1953, Phillips made 253 appearances for the team scoring 28 tries.

[3] Phillips was first selected to play for Wales in 1945 and went on to win 10 caps between 1945 and 1951 scoring a try in a game against England in 1949.