Phillips was a collier by profession[2] before becoming a police officer, and was the nephew of former international Wales player Harry Day.
In 1926, Phillips faced his first international opposition when he was part of the Newport team that played the touring Māoris.
The game ended in a 0–0 draw, a score which the Māori captain, Wattie Barclay, believed his team was fortunate to achieve.
Phillips played in all the matches of the 1927 Championship which saw poor Welsh results, with only a single win, over France.
The Wales team included eight new caps, which the far tighter Waratahs were able to defeat, finishing the match 18–8 winners.