20 Questions: James Phillips – London Scottish No. 8

Sad to leave Exeter this summer?
Very sad. Exeter’s been a massive part of my life over the last four years and I made amazing friends, but it’s a new challenge now.
Did a move to Harlequins fall through?
Yes, but the best thing for me was to join London Scottish and get a load of game time under my belt – and hopefully that’s what I’ll be doing.
Believe you still have a top-flight future?
Yes. I’m trying to get in the best shape I can and my goal is to get back into the Premiership because I feel I’ve got unfinished business there.
How unsettling has this summer been?
It’s really tough on you as a player, finalising where to go, and it takes over your life. I was really pleased to finally put pen to paper.
How’s the set-up at Scottish?
Really good. James Buckland and the coaches are excellent to work with and it feels like we’re putting together a good squad.
Where did you start out in rugby?
Cleve RFC, in Bristol. Guys like Ryan Davis, Chris Brooker and Chevvy and Redford Pennycook came through together with me and I joined Bristol’s academy from there.
Boyhood rugby idols?
Richard Hill, the England flanker. Dad took me to Twickenham in the late-90s and after that he was the player I wanted to be. I was lucky to play against him a couple of times later on. Lawrence Dallaglio was another I admired.
Ups and downs at Bristol?
There were, with relegation in 2009 and not getting promoted back from the Championship. But I played alongside guys like Gareth Llewellyn, Matt Salter and Andrew Blowers who were really good mentors.
If you could be another sportsman?
LeBron James, the NBA star. He’s an amazing athlete and not many people can do what he does. He’s a winner and the money’s not bad either.
How do you chill-out?
Played a lot of golf at Exeter with Chris Whitehead and Phil Dollman. But I’m being flogged in training at the moment so still waiting to sort a course in London.
Follow any other sports?
Big Arsenal fan. I liked Denis Bergkamp and Ian Wright growing up and have been to Highbury and the Emirates a few times. I can go more now!
Rituals or superstitions?
Always have to have a bath in the morning before a game. It just helps me relax and forget about what I’ve got to do later in the day.
Pet hates or annoyances?
I’ve been doing a lot of driving between Exeter and London and the traffic here is an absolute nightmare.
Got a place sorted yet?
No. I’m staying in a rugby house in Isleworth with Fred Silcock, Pete Lydon, Mark Lilley and Dave Cherry while I sort something for me and the missus.
That must be fun?
It’s not too bad. We all pitch in and do bits and piece like cooking and cleaning while not trying to get on each other’s nerves too much.
Any good at cooking?
I do my bit, but it’s pretty basic stuff. My speciality would be spaghetti Bolognese.
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, because I love the way he talks about himself in the third person; David Bowie, because I listen to a lot of his music; and the comedian Peter Kay.
Best rugby memories?
Debut for Bristol at Sale; beating Gloucester in Exeter’s first Premiership match; scoring the winning try in the last minute against Newport in January 2012; then doing the same against Perpignan to put us into the Amlin Cup Q-Fs.
Best and worst banter at Scottish?
Neil Best lives up to his name. Too rude to print but he’s a nice guy and a real character. Worst is Fred Silcock, who just regurgitates the same terrible stuff.
Scottish for the top four?
We’d like to think we could push for it and hopefully we can take a few scalps. The team has come together quite quickly and, on a personal level, I want to really push on now and get myself back up.
*This article was published in The Rugby Paper on July 20