The highly rated Phillips woud have expected to figure in the top of the table clash against Ealing Trailfinders this weekend but after COVID-19 cases were reported within the Pirates camp, the RFU took the decision to postpone the match.
Ealing reached the Premiership play-off final last season, where they were heavily beaten over two legs by Saracens, and so far this season have stayed firmly in contention for another tilt at the title. They are level on points with Doncaster Knights with 41 and have two games in hand and have Steve Shingler pulling the strings for them at outside half.
The Pirates, who famously beat Saracens at Mennaye Field, in Penzance, on the opening day of last season’s competition, are currently in fourth a mere two points behind the leaders and also with two games in hand over the Knights.
Phillips has graduated through the ranks at the Ospreys and won honours at all the age-grade levels for Wales. He made his Ospreys debut last season and featured in the 24-19 victory over Leinster in Dublin.
At 6ft tall, and weighing in at 113kgs, the 20-year-old loose head is highly rated at his region and has been loaned out to get more game time to further his development. He has also had experience of playing for Bridgend in the Indigo Group Premiership.
He joins an increasing number of regional players in the Championship and joins fellow Welshmen Arwel Robson, Alex Schwarz and Syd Blackmore in Cornwall.
“We are lucky and delighted to welcome on board such a young and quality loose-head prop forward. He is physically well constructed and is straight away integrating and enjoying it here, said Pirates joint head coach, Alan Paver.”
“For however long Garyn is with us, he is looking forward to making a positive contribution and we are really pleased.”
Coventry are giving Wales U20 and Dragons lock Max Williams a chance to return to action after his year-long Achilles injury problems. He has joined centre Tom Griffiths at the Midlands club and helped them to beat Paul Turner’s Ampthill side 26-22 on Boxing Day.
Ampthill have former Wales Sevens international Ben Cambriani at centre for them this season and also feature two Welsh forwards in Llewellyn Jones and Jac Arthur.
Former Dragons centre Connor Edwards was joined by ex-RGC 1404 players Billy McBryde and George Edwards in the Doncaster Knights team that beat London Scottish 39-19 to move to the top of the table over the festive weekend.
Jersey Reds, currently in third, have taken two Dragons youngsters on loan in full back Ioan Davies and prop Luke Yendle. They also have former Cardiff Blues duo Macauley Cook and Jack Roberts in their ranks.
