He played as a back row forward for Wales, where he won ten caps between 1987 and 1990.
[3] Rowland Phillips appeared as a substitute (replacing Prop Neil Harmon on 79-minutes) in Warrington's 12–2 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1990–91 Regal Trophy Final during the 1990–91 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday, 12 January 1991.
After an unsuccessful season which saw Ebbw Vale relegated, he joined new Italian rugby team Aironi, originally as a defence coach, a position he previously filled with the Ospreys and Wales.
He became Head Coach on 7 November 2010 after Franco Bernini was sacked after not winning any of their games up to that point.
In July 2012 Phillips was appointed head coach of Italian club Viadana.