Whitehaven’s 2021 vice-captain Callum Phillips has signed a new two-year deal to stay at the club until the end of the 2023 season.
The 29-year-old half-back, who has been converted to hooker at Whitehaven, has already completed four seasons with the LEL Arena club.
A Scotland international, Phillips said: “I’m happy to be staying at Whitehaven. Hopefully, we can keep last year’s momentum going and have another dig so I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
Pleased that Phillips has committed himself again, head coach Jonty Gorley said: “To have a player of Callum’s calibre is a real positive for us. He brings a vast amount of experience of championship and international rugby.
“As a nine Callum has got all the attributes. His passing game is crisp on both sides, he’s an excellent dummy-half runner, he’s probably one of the fittest in the squad and for a little guy, he defends well above his weight.
“He also gives me options on team selection whether it be him playing 80 minutes or coming off the bench he gives us a massive boost. At a push, he could slot in at seven if needed.”
Director Ashley Kilpatrick said: “The club is delighted that we’ve been able to get Callum signed for another two years. He’s a great lad to have around the club as he’s versatile in that he can cover in the half’s and dummy half.
“However as a club, we feel Callum’s best position is in at dummy half and in our opinion, he’s up there as one of the best in the league.
“He’s an international player and was one of the lads we wanted signed up quickly as we knew there would be interest from other clubs who wanted him.”
Phillips, who learnt his rugby with the Seaton amateur club, turned professional with Workington Town in 2013 and went on to play 112 games for the Derwent Park club before switching to Whitehaven in 2018.
His elder brother Brett followed a similar route but he announced his retirement early last season.
