By Tom Prosser
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth pledges “continuous” support to Ifan Phillips but insists “the show must go on” after an emotional week for everyone at the region.
Phillips suffered “life changing” injuries after being involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday and Booth says it’s important that everyone at the club is professional in the aftermath of this tragic situation.
“It would be artificial for us to pretend that this has been a normal week because it hasn’t,” says Booth.
“Ifan would want us to get on with the job and we need to make sure we do the best we can as the show must go on.
“We have to be professional around it. We need to get back to doing what we have to do and there’s nothing we can do immediately for him and his family.
“We’ve reached out and shown support for him.
“Now it’s what we do next for the Ospreys and for Ifan.
“Those things won’t finish tomorrow or the next day. They’ll be continuous for evermore.”
Booth also stresses the importance of considering the state of mind of his players ahead of selecting his team for the opening Champions Cup match against Sale Sharks on Sunday.
The wider world of sport will be saddened to learn of one young man’s bright career ended by ‘life-changing injuries’ in a road accident. Ifan Phillips, 25, is the son of ex-Wales and @neathrfc hooker Kevin Phillips. Our hearts go out to the Phillips family. https://t.co/ec5WZ6oDHR
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) December 9, 2021
“I think you consider that any week. People talk about a specific incident but we’ve not selected players through personal reasons throughout my time here,” reveals Booth.
“You have to feel right to perform at your best.
“There will be times when people aren’t ready to play and those conversations go on.
“There is no substitute for knowing your players and how they react to things out of their control.
“The high profile nature around Ifan, I understand why people ask the questions.”
🖤 Rhys Webb has offered the full love and support of the Ospreys and wider rugby community to Ifan Phillips
Ifan’s teammates and close friends have set up a crowdfunding page to help support him and his family during this time. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here👇
— Ospreys (@ospreys) December 8, 2021
Phillips, 25, is the son of Neath rugby legend Kevin Phillips. He signed a new Ospreys contract earlier this year after impressing Booth.
He trained with Wayne Pivac’s Wales squad last summer, although he was not officially called up and he has been on the fringes of international selection in the last six months.
Ospreys captain Rhys Webb said: “It’s obviously devastating, heartbreaking news. Ifan is a top bloke and one hell of a player as well.
“At this moment in time, our thoughts are with his friends and family.
“Us boys, as players, and the Ospreys community will rally around and he’ll have our full support.”
Yesterday, an online donation page to support Phillips’ recovery raised £7,000 in just three hours with his Ospreys team-mates and Welsh rivals among those donating.
Help raise £40000 to support the wellbeing of Ifan Phillips & his family. Fo.. Please #donate on @justgiving and RT https://t.co/B0N7B2zxXy
— Todd Gleave (@toddgleave) December 9, 2021
Booth is expecting a tough game against Sale and is hoping to utilise his knowledge of the English Premiership from his time working at London Irish, Bath and Harlequins.
“I know the Premiership teams pretty well from my time there. Alex Sanderson is doing a good job with them,” explains Booth.
“They’re playing very well but not probably getting the results they deserve.
“They’re a tough team and this is a group of tough games for us.
“They’re physically above anything else. There’s a high South African influence in their squad make-up.
“They’re very clinical in certain areas of their game which makes them hard to beat.”