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Robin Heymann

UR7s caught up with England skipper Ollie Phillips ahead of the 5th Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai later this week.

So Ollie what’s morale like in the camp ahead of the big one this week in Dubai?

Morale as you can imagine is pretty high after our recent success. We all really have a common goal and that’s to go and win this World Cup, which obviously helps the team spirit massively. This circuit is brilliant but this is the big one really as it’s only held every four years.

Have you recovered properly from the back to back legs of Wellington and San Diego?

It’s been pretty hectic, we got back last Tuesday and a lot of the boys been struggling with jet-lag, as we were going 13 hours (Wellington) behind to 8 hours ahead – it’s very much been back to reality!

How disappointing was it to lose out in the final in San Diego following your win the week before in Wellington?

It had been a long two weeks, and we were pretty happy how it all went. In the San Diego final we had been up 14-5, and you have to hand it to the Argentines, they stole all our lineout ball, won every re-start and forced us to defend for 6 minutes in that second half – our fitness is very good but that’s the most tiring thing that can happen in sevens.

Have you stayed together as a squad?

Well the London based guys got some sessions in at Bisham Abbey which was good but some of the other guys, people like Tom Biggs and James Rodwell had to go back and play for their clubs.

Your coach Ben Ryan has a reputation for quirky training drills, what kind of stuff does he make you do?

Ben’s a great coach, but some of his left-field ideas do stump the boys on occasions! But it’s good as it keeps things fresh and it works to be fair. Some of the warm-ups are a lot of fun, balls flying absolutely everywhere but are main focus is stuff to get ready for the tournaments.

Dubai has a long tradition of hosting international sevens rugby, do you enjoy it out there?

It’s a top notch to play sevens, and the fans absolutely love having a few beers and getting involved - the whole place comes alive! Lots is said about the glitz and glamour of the place but I think they have done a great job in building a great stadium and raising the profile, and just generally putting it back on the map there.

With the large expatriate community out there you must get a fair amount of support?

As England players it’s a different environment coming from Wellington where our reception is pretty hostile, and we weren’t really the town’s favourites compared to Dubai where the support is awesome. It’s a lot nicer to be cheered rather then jeered.

Tom Varndell’s inclusion must have given a great boost to the squad?

Yeah it’ll hopefully mean a lot less running for me, I can just ship it on to Tommy V!? No it’s great that he has been brought in, his pace will bring a completely different and needed new dimension to our squad. Along with Tom Biggs who went really well in San Diego and the return of Josh Drauniniu, who lit up Dubai last time we were there, we’re looking in good shape with a lot of depth to the side.

How important has ‘Mr Sevens’ himself Ben Gollings' contribution been in recent weeks?

I’ve been involved in Sevens for five years and this is the sharpest I’ve ever seen BG. He’s awesome. In San Diego when he went round Benjamin (Ryno) and then the sweeper – I mean that was quick!

Who are the real characters in the squad keeping you going on tour?

Biggsy's (Tom Biggs) chat generally breaks everyone! We call him ‘harsh bants’! Tommy Varndell seems to be going down the same road but we’re all trying to steer him clear of the dark side. Kev Barrett is our sly cockney on the side – he just keeps pouting pretending to be that guy from the Stereophonics! Everyone gets on well and there is a cracking spirit and the coaches really encourage that.