MIKE Phillips could only listen to Wales's dramatic win over Scotland in 2010.

The scrum-half missed the Millennium Stadium encounter through injury and, as he was looking for a new house to buy on that day, he had to rely on his car radio for coverage.

A remarkable late comeback saw Wales clinch a 31-24 courtesy of Shane Williams's last-ditch try but it was Richie Rees, not Phillips, who was the scrum-half for those crucial final moments.

Phillips will be at the heart of the action on Sunday, though, as he looks to help Wales build on an opening weekend victory in Dublin when they welcome Scotland to Cardiff.

"I was injured for that match, so I wasn't involved. I was actually looking for a house," Phillips recalls.

"I was listening to it in the car and it was a great victory.

"It was an epic game, but hopefully it won't be as dramatic this weekend.

"Hopefully we can seal it before the last minute, but they're going to be a difficult side to play."

While Wales have been buoyed by their nerve-shredding win in Dublin, Scotland will enter the tie in Cardiff smarting from a 13-6 home defeat to England.

Victory was there for the taking for the Scots at Murrayfield, but their profligacy proved costly as a number of chances went begging.

And Phillips, who played in Wales's 24-6 triumph over Scotland in Edinburgh last year, is wary of a backlash from Andy Robinson's men.

"Scotland will be feeling sorry for themselves after creating so many opportunities but not quite taking them," he says.

"They're a dangerous side, a wounded animal.

"Individually, they're playing very well and they could click so they could be a very dangerous team this weekend and we'll have to show them respect.

"We'll have to have respect in training and then, as soon as we're on the field, that respect can go."

Phillips was given the official man of the match award for a typically tenacious display against Ireland, although he actually disagreed with the decision.

Modesty is not always the first virtue attributed to the fiery 29-year-old, but he reckons Scarlets wing George North was a worthier recipient of the prize.

"There were so many boys who played well, but George's couple of touches were world class," he says.

"I'll accept it, though," he adds with a laugh. "I'm not going to give it back. I'll accept it, but at the same time George was my man of the match.

"It's great to be surrounded by so many great players. He's a great player and a top guy.

"George works tremendously hard on his game and it's good to have him around.

"He's got total star quality. Not many players have that quality when they turn games, but he's got that in abundance.

"He's a totally down-to-earth guy, a great guy who's just enjoying himself."

It is an interesting reflection on the game from Phillips, who has been in spectacular form for club and country since his summer move to French side Bayonne.

And although he maintained an impressive level of performance at the Aviva Stadium, Phillips sees room for improvement both for him and Wales.

"I'm never really happy with the way I play. I'll work hard again in training this week and I'll have that edge about me," he says.

"I'm really confident at the moment. I had a few injuries a couple of years back, but I'm over them and this year I've had a full run of games.

"There were aspects of the game we need to improve on, but that was the first game and you expect mistakes to happen.

"We're a team who get better as the competition goes on, and that win has given us a tremendous amount of confidence."