Ospreys wing Kristian Phillips hopes to win his first Wales cap

Ospreys wing Kristian Phillips is still pinching himself after being called up by Wales coach Warren Gatland.

The 19-year-old has only played seven times for his region but is included in Wales' 35-man RBS Six Nations squad.

"It's unbelievable really, if you asked me a month ago 'do you think you'll be playing for Wales in the Six Nations' my answer would have been no," he said.

"I was looking forward to playing for Wales Under-20s and to have the call... in the first team is unbelievable."

Phillips realises he has it all to do if he is to win a first senior cap, with Wales beginning their championship campaign on 6 February against England at Twickenham.

With Scarlets wing Mark Jones sidelined by a knee injury, there was a spot in the squad available alongside established wings Leigh Halfpenny, Tom James and Wales record try-scorer Shane Williams.

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"Just to have my name next to Shane's name is something I wouldn't have thought of," Phillips said of the Lions star.

"Growing up watching him playing for Wales and the Ospreys and then moving on to training with him with the Ospreys and now training with him with Wales and pushing for a place is, again, unbelievable.

"I've been named in the squad, obviously I see myself as giving it a go in training and things, pushing for a spot and hopefully if things go well you never know what's round the corner."

Phillips suffered a dislocated shoulder last March that ended his season, but he returned to action in early September with a brace of tries in Neath's 25-22 win over Carmarthen Quins in the Welsh Premiership.

Despite just one game for senior regional side the Ospreys this season, against Northampton in the LV= Cup in November, the youngster finds himself part of Gatland's Six Nations plans.

"I sustained injury last season, so thinking of coming back this season, playing for Wales Under-20s again and then having the [Wales senior] call is mad," Phillips said.

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