Just 80 minutes away, from the greatest rugby show on earth.

That is the reality for Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams and the rest of the Welsh squad after their 22-10 win over Ireland in the World Cup quarter finals in Wellington.

With the game poised at 10-10, it was tries from Davies and Phillips then took the Welsh into the semi finals for the first time since 1987.

For scrum half Phillips, the game was confirmation of a return to the kind of form that made him one of the most feared number nines in international rugby.

Just minutes after Keith Earles’ converted try had levelled the game at the start of the second half - Phillips darted down the blindside and showed great skill to dive over in the corner and touch down with his left hand.

With 15 minutes remaining, Davies then spotted Cian Healey in the defensive line and burst past the prop to seal the win.

Both players represented Whitland RFC and attended Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, and afterwards Phillips, 28, was quick to acknowledge his former club.

“There was a bit of defence down the blindside of that ruck, but I pushed it aside,” he said.

“Then there was a try for another Whitland boy, Jonny Fox (Davies).

“We’re both from the same school, so a big shout out to Whitland, it was a great day for them as well.”

Phillips’ former youth team coach, Roy Newton, recalled coaching him as a youngster.

“He was a very quiet boy, and up until he was 16 he’d had very little rugby recognition.

“Despite his size, I had no doubts about playing him at scrum half. He was very fit and powerful and always enjoyed his rugby. It’s great to see him doing well.”

A third former Whitland player, Scott Williams, was an unused replacement, and club chairman Arwyn Thomas said the trio had given everyone a “massive” lift.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever have this situation again,” said Thomas.

“The club’s extremely proud of them and the way they are playing.”

This Saturday, the Welsh play France at Eden Park for a place in the World Cup final against New Zealand or Australia. Head coach Warren Gatland is widely tipped to start with the same side that defeated the Irish.