Welsh rugby star reveals leg amputation after motorbike crash

By Sports Desk December 19, 2021

Ospreys hooker Ifan Phillips underwent a leg amputation after a motorbike collision, he revealed on Sunday.

Phillips, 25, is a former Wales Under-20 international who had trained with Wayne Pivac's senior squad.

The incident occurred on December 5 in Swansea, and Phillips said doctors were unable to save his leg.

South Wales Police said at the time that two motorbikes collided.

Phillips posted a picture to Instagram of himself smiling in a wheelchair and said support in the past fortnight had been "truly overwhelming" and his "spirits are high".

Phillips offered "heartfelt thanks" to those who helped at the scene of the collision and those at Morriston Hospital in Swansea who helped him afterwards.

He wrote: "On the 5th of December I was rushed in to Morriston Hospital following a motorbike accident. I went into theatre on arrival but following ongoing surgery it was not possible to save my leg. As a result I had to have an above the knee amputation."

Phillips said donations to a fund set up to support his recovery would help both with his rehabilitation and "hopefully getting a prosthetic leg which will enable me to experience new opportunities".

Related items

  • Rob is the manager – Wales on same Page despite Euro 2024 failure Rob is the manager – Wales on same Page despite Euro 2024 failure

    Rob Page will remain as Wales manager despite the failure to qualify for Euro 2024.

    Wales agonisingly missed out on a place in Germany this summer as Poland won a play-off final 5-4 on penalties at Cardiff City Stadium following a goalless 120 minutes.

    The defeat left question marks over Page’s future, but those doubts have been quickly removed by Football Association of Wales president Steve Williams.

    Williams told BBC Wales: “The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract.

    “Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work.”

    Page took over from Ryan Giggs in November 2020, first on an interim basis and led Wales at the delayed European Championship the following summer.

    He was appointed permanent manager after Wales’ World Cup play-off final victory over Ukraine in June 2022.

    The 49-year-old subsequently signed a four-year deal the following September two months ahead of the World Cup.

    But Page’s stock with fans fell following a poor tournament in Qatar when they scored only once and finished bottom of their group with one point.

    Key players such as Gareth Bale, Wales’ talismanic captain and record caps holder and goalscorer, and Joe Allen retired after the World Cup.

    Page had to rebuild the side during Euro 2024 qualifying, which saw Wales finish below Turkey and Croatia in their group and rely on the play-offs to make a third consecutive European Championship.

    After Tuesday’s play-off final defeat, Page said: “I’ve got a great relationship with Dave Adams, the technical director.

    “We’ve had our issues in the past, haven’t we? It’s been well documented. But everything’s fine. Everything’s great. I think they appreciate it.

    “The board, the chief exec, the president, I think they see the journey we’re on and what we’re trying to do.

    “In 12 months, from retirement of senior players to introducing younger players and being one kick away from qualification. I think they see the work we’re doing and the supporters do too.”

    FAW chief executive Noel Mooney had put Page’s future in the spotlight in October by saying the manager’s position would be reviewed, having not qualified for Euro 2024 automatically.

    Page and Mooney held clear-the-air talks after those comments – and the FAW will conduct a review into the Euro 2024 campaign over the coming weeks.

    Wales return to friendly action this summer with a planned home game before heading to Slovakia on June 9.

    The Nations League gets under way in September with Wales pitted against Iceland, Montenegro and Turkey, while qualification for the 2026 World Cup starts in 12 months’ time.

  • Aaron Ramsey to ponder international future after Wales’ Euro 2024 hopes ended Aaron Ramsey to ponder international future after Wales’ Euro 2024 hopes ended

    Aaron Ramsey will consider whether to continue his international career following Wales’ failed bid to reach Euro 2024.

    Skipper Ramsey remained on the bench for the entire 120 minutes on Tuesday as Wales’ attempt to qualify for this summer’s tournament in Germany ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Poland in Cardiff.

    Ramsey has suffered an injury-hit season after returning to hometown club Cardiff – he has not started a game for six months due to knee and calf issues – and turns 34 at the end of this year.

    The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder has won 81 caps and is sixth on Wales’ all-time list of goalscorers with 21.

    The start of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is 12 months away, and the PA news agency understands that Ramsey will contemplate his international future after Wales’ painful Euro exit.

    “There have been no conversations like that,” Wales manager Rob Page said about Ramsey’s future straight after defeat to Poland.

    “It’s been, what, an hour since we’ve ended the game.

    “Aaron was a big part of this squad as well. It’s not just what he brings on the pitch, it’s off the pitch as well.

    “We want to continue to add to the squad and at the right time we’ll start introducing the younger ones in.”

    Ramsey signed a two-year deal at Cardiff last summer with an option to extend by a further 12 months, but has started only six games for the Bluebirds this term.

  • Rob Page insists he can take Wales forward after penalty heartbreak Rob Page insists he can take Wales forward after penalty heartbreak

    Rob Page insisted he will take Wales forward after their Euro 2024 dream was ended by penalty shoot-out heartbreak.

    Daniel James missed the decisive spot-kick as Wales lost 5-4 on penalties to Poland after a goalless draw at the Cardiff City Stadium.

    Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney put Page’s position in the spotlight in October by saying the manager’s position would be reviewed if the Dragons did not qualify for Euro 2024 automatically.

    Page and Mooney held clear the air talks after those comments – the 49-year-old remaining in post after Wales had to settle for a play-off place that ultimately ended in failure.

    “I’ve got a great relationship with Dave Adams, the technical director,” said boss Page.

    “We’ve had our issues in the past, haven’t we? It’s been well documented. But everything’s fine. Everything’s great. I think they appreciate it.

    “The board, the chief exec, the president, I think they see the journey we’re on and what we’re trying to do.

    “In 12 months, from retirement of senior players to introducing younger players and being one kick away from qualification. I think they see the work we’re doing and the supporters do too.”

    Wales had never been involved in a penalty shoot-out in their history and it was left to James, with the 10th spot-kick, to feel the pain of failing to convert as Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny pushed out his effort.

    Page told S4C: “It is a cruel game and that is what I have said to the players. One kick away from qualifying and it hurts.

    “I thought we were the better team. I’ve just said to the group, ‘look how far we have come – we are that disappointed we have not qualified for a major tournament’.”

    Page offered sympathy to James and praised his squad for their efforts throughout the qualifying campaign.

    He added: “We will rally round Deej. He had the bravery to take that penalty.

    “I’m just so proud of that group and the nation should be proud of them. They have put a shift and some in tonight to try to get us there.

    “We will be bigger and stronger for going through this horrible experience. We are going somewhere. There is something good happening with this group.

    “They are so disappointed but they are hungry for it. We were nearly there, one kick away. There is a lot more to come.”

    Page defended his decision to keep Aaron Ramsey on the bench and not send on his skipper in the closing stages.

    Ramsey has not started a game since September because of knee and calf issues, but played 20 minutes for Cardiff in their last game following his latest injury.

    “Who could he come on and replace?” said Page.

    “We needed two sixes on the park and we weren’t going to take a risk in extra-time.”

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.