Six Nations 2013: Mike Phillips sees 'spark' back in Wales camp

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Media caption,

Six Nations 2013: BBC team pick their favourite tries

The Wales squad is "bouncing" with anticipation ahead of the Six Nations meeting with Scotland at Murrayfield, according to Mike Phillips.

The Bayonne scrum-half says wins over France and Italy have given Wales renewed energy after a run of eight consecutive Test match losses.

"Everybody seems to be bouncing around in training," said Phillips.

"There's a spark about the camp now, and hopefully we can keep these winning ways going."

Wales went into the Six Nations having lost seven straight Test matches, and were beaten 30-22 by Ireland on the opening weekend of the tournament.

However, a 16-6 win in Paris followed by a 26-9 defeat of Italy have put Wales into second place in the tournament and restored confidence, says Phillips.

"You can go from hero to villain overnight and vice versa, so it's vital we got the two wins and momentum seems to be here now," he added.

Standing between Wales and a potential championship showdown with England in Cardiff on 16 March are a Scotland team whose tournament mirrors the Welsh experience.

Comprehensively beaten by England in the opening round of matches, the Scots have responded with a 34-10 win against Italy and a battling 12-8 defeat of Ireland.

Media caption,

Six Nations highlights: Italy 9-26 Wales

Those results and new swagger in the Scottish back play promise a tough challenge in Murrayfield.

"The Scots are a team who have improved over the past couple of years," said Phillips.

"They've had some big victories, [especially] down in Australia in the summer. They're not going to be pushovers.

"They had a great defensive effort in the last game [against Ireland] but they've certainly created over the last few games and they look dangerous.

"Some of the team have been outstanding, [Stuart] Hogg in particular. They've definitely looked sharp."

A Welsh win in Scotland would be their third away victory of this season's tournament and their record fifth in a row on the road in the championship.

That would match the five-match away run compiled by England's World Cup winners from 2002 to 2004. Only France, with six in a row from 2003 to 2005, have done better since the tournament expanded in 2000.

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