Grand Slam winner Phillips ended nine months of injury hell after cruciate knee ligament damage for the Ospreys against Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday night.
And the star scrum-half signalled his intent to national coach Warren Gatland ahead of their opener against Scotland on February 8 with an impressive 30-minute cameo appearance off the bench.
Phillips said: “Hopefully I can get back into the Wales team and crack on with a chance at the British Lions.”
Phillips was regarded as the best scrum-half in Britain before his cruel injury struck against Saracens in the semi-final of the EDF Energy Cup at the Millennium Stadium back in March.
The 27-year-old has been forced to watch on in agony as Gloucester’s Gareth Cooper has re-established the number nine jersey ahead of Phillips’ old rival Dwayne Peel.
But now Phillips is aiming for a bigger and better 2009 and is chomping at the bit to face West Wales rivals the Scarlets in front of a sell-out Liberty Stadium crowd next Saturday.
Phillips said: “I’m just pleased to be back on the pitch. I’ve had such a long time out so it was great to be back playing with the lads again.
“It was hard work but now I want to get as much game time as possible over Christmas and get my match fitness up.
“I’m chuffed to bits because the injury has been a massive low in my career. It’s been a massive nightmare with all the setbacks but I’m glad to be back.
“I feel great and I’m looking forward to the next game already.”
There was a double fitness boost for Gatland as Wales and British Lions star Gavin Henson also made his return to action in the 30-24 derby defeat to the Dragons.
Henson showed no ill effects of the Achilles injury which ruled him out of the entire Autumn series.
The golden boy of Welsh rugby came through unscathed in an 80-minute outing for the first time in nearly two months and starred with a try double.
Henson, 26, said: “I’m over the moon to be back playing again and I’m loving it.
“It was a really enjoyable game and I just wanted to get the ball in my hands.”
