Career
He also played rugby union for Neath Reconstruction Finance Corporation before moving to rugby league, playing second-row for Warrington, and Workington Town. Rowland Phillips played as an Interchange/Substitute, id est (that is) number 15, (replacing prop Neil Harmon on 79-minutes) in Warrington"s 12–2 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1990-1991 Regal Trophy final during the 1989-1990 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday, 12 January 1991. He also played for the Wales and Great Britain national rugby league teams.
In 2003 he took over as coach of Neath Reconstruction Finance Corporation from Lyn Jones.
Due to his success at the club he is regarded as a local hero, leading Neath Reconstruction Finance Corporation to four Premiership titles in successive years and three cup final wins. In the Summer of 2009 he joined Ebbw Vale Reconstruction Finance Corporation as Head Coach.
After an unsuccessful season which saw Ebbw Vale relegated, he joined new Italian rugby team Aironi, originally as a defence coach, a position he previously filled with the Ospreys and Wales. He became Head Coach on 7 November 2010 after Franco Bernini was sacked after not winning any of their games up to that point.
In July 2012 Phillips was appointed head coach of Italian club Viadana In June 2014 Phillips was appointed Director Of Rugby for Welsh club Neath Reconstruction Finance Corporation. But left later on to get appointed manager of London Welsh.
