AS WALES struggle to find their throwing arm at international level, Ebbw Vale captain and scrum lynch-pin Leyton Phillips (pictured) is aiming to use his as a missile of destruction against Llanelli in Saturday's mouth-watering Principality Cup semi-final at the Millennium Stadium.

The 33-year-old hooker has been in inspirational form this season with his accurate lineout throw and is now hoping to teach opposite number Robin McBryde a thing or two when they line up against each other on Welsh rugby's hallowed turf.

"You need a good lineout. If you get some good lineout ball and some good targets it breeds confidence. It is a huge part of the game and something every side wants to get right.

"I have practised more over the last couple of seasons than ever before. I think you need to get it pin point," said Phillips.

"I think I'm better on the longer ball than on the shorter ball at the moment, but you do need to practise and get your heart beat going.

Vale's stand-in captain has plenty of sympathy for McBryde and Neath's Barry Williams, who have both had a torrid time with the national side in this season's Six Nations Championship.

"It's a difficult job at club level so you can imagine how they feel with 60,000 or 70,000 people watching. There's a lot of pressure on.

"Whether or not it's a bit of fine tuning needed I don't know, but it hasn't gone to well for the boys," said Phillips.

The former Newbridge star knows only too well his men are rank outsiders to make it to another cup final, but is still full of confidence.

"It's going to be a huge task. There are a lot of young boys in the Ebbw Vale team but, who knows, on the day - it is the cup and we have to go out t and give it our best shot. I just hope the boys will believe in themselves and not be overawed by the Llanelli team. I personally believe we can shock them. I've played in the cup for quite a few years now and surprises are there to be made," Phillips smiled.

It's the fine blend of youth and experience that has propelled Vale to the last four and they have now reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the last five years. But Phillips is hoping this time round they will finally see their name engraved on the trophy.

He admitted it would be hard without inspirational Chay Billen, still; struggling with a neck injury.

"He's one hell of a forward who does a lot of unseen work. You don't realise the amount he gets through until you actually play with him or against him. "I have a lot of sympathy for Chay. He has been a great servant for Ebbw Vale for a long time and from my point of view it's great honour for me to step into his shoes and captain the boys in Saturday's game."

He continued: "I am hoping, hand on heart, he has an out side chance of a place on the bench and becoming an impact player for us in the last 20 perhaps." Speaking on Vale's epic quarter-final against Pontypool, Phillips said: "It was a lot closer than we expected it to be and we did not help ourselves with needless penalties. But Pontypool did play very well."

Saturday will be another day for Ebbw Vale to savour and Phillips will enjoy every minute.

"When you get to the semi-finals you know you have to give your best shot. We have come close in quite a few games this year. People will be writing us off, but deep down we know we can produce a top performance on the day and anything can happen," he declared.