Ollie Phillips is in the pink after a dramatic debut for Europe’s most glamorous club last night.

The Brighton-born winger came off the bench for Stade Francais to make a try, score one himself and have a last-gasp effort ruled out for offside in a 40-35 defeat to Montauban in the French Top 14.

Phillips, 25, made a shock switch to the top Parisian club, famed for their extraordinary pink kit, after running out of contract at Newcastle Falcons.

A hamstring problem ruled him out Stade’s first three fixtures but he caught the eye as a 60th minute replacement for off-form Aussie wing Mark Gasnier.

Phillips admitted: “The move was a massive opportunity on and off the pitch.

“I got a call in November to say they were interested and I thought it was someone taking the mick.

“I got another call later saying to come out and meet the chairman and it became reality.”

Phillips came through the Newcastle academy but felt the time was right a change.

He added: “Paris is brilliant. I’ve got a place just off the Champs Elysees and I’m trying to learn the language.

“We had 12 hours of French a week to start with but it’s less now the season has started.

“I did French at Brighton College and it’s coming on slowly.”

Phillips’ profile has been raised by his feats in sevens, where he is England captain and world player of the year.

He added: “There will be a dummy run in the Olympics in 2012. That has changed the dynamism and perception of the sport.”

Joe El-Abd, brother of Albion defender Adam, has joined the French revolution and helped Toulon beat Clermont last night, despite Jonny Wilkinson’s off night.

As for Phillips, who has been joined at Stade by former Sussex cricketer Hugo Southwell, even the new kit is something to enjoy.

“Being from Brighton I’m used to pink,” he joked. “It’s great. That’s half the fun of Stade. It’s bravado, a bit off the wall.”