McPhillips played for Ireland U21s in the 2002 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. He played Sevens rugby for Ireland in the 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Argentina and 2008 Hannover Sevens. He was called up to the 2005 Ireland rugby union tour of Japan and he won 2 caps for the Irish 'A' side in the 2006 Churchill Cup against England and France.