Returning Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips is delighted to be playing for his country again after a painful injury recovery.
Wales star eyes scrum-half battle with Blair
Mike Phillips will return to international competition on Sunday after an absence of almost 11 months.
The scrum-half will start for Wales as they begin the defence of their Six Nations title against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Phillips was a pivotal part of Wales' Grand Slam winning team last year but suffered torn knee ligaments only a week after the tournament ended. He spent most of 2008 recuperating from surgery, returning to the Ospreys side six days before Christmas.
The 26-year-old admitted the road to recovery was not an easy one.
Pain
"There were some very low moments," Phillips said. "There were stages when it was getting better, and then you would wake up and there was pain again in the knee.
"It was as if it was never going to get better. Even after the second operation, there was more pain, but eventually it went and I've worked really hard to get back.
"Both operations were successful, it just takes time. The person I am, I wanted to come back bigger, stronger and better, and maybe I pushed it too much. But I'm back now, and that is the main thing."
Battle
Phillips' opposite number on Sunday will be Mike Blair, a player viewed as the Welshman's principal rival for the Lions number nine shirt on the summer tour of South Africa.
Phillips respects the ability of the Scottish scrum-half but is confident his own talent will serve him well in the battle.
"Mike is a very good player," he added.
"Everything good that seems to happen for Scotland comes through him. He is very much in form, and we will have to be on our toes to watch him. He has the ability to break and bring his forwards into the game.
"But I've got to concentrate on my game, and if I play to the best of my ability, there will be no worries."
