Philip's career could be over at age of 22
DAVID FERGUSON
THE promising career of the Scotland centre Tom Philip looks to have been brought to a premature end after the player announced yesterday that he is taking "time out" from the game.

The 22-year-old from Edinburgh has been a professional for just over two years, but he revealed that his failure to recover from a series of injuries over the past 18 months has taken its toll and that he is no longer able to cope with the pressure of trying to find a way back.


Shortly after starting out as a professional with Edinburgh, Philip was elevated to full Test status by Matt Williams, the former Scotland coach, for his first international against Wales in 2004. Though only 21, he was one of the most powerful players in the squad, lifting weights heavier than many forwards, and made an impressive showing in all five matches in the Six Nations.

However, the former Glasgow Hawks centre and wing then suffered a cruciate ligament injury tackling a team-mate in the sand on the tour of Australasia and his nightmare began.

He said: "I have physically recovered from the torn anterior cruciate ligament in my right knee that I suffered on the 2004 summer tour, but throughout the time that I've been trying to get better with my knee I've been troubled by chronic back and groin pain. Back pain is something that I've been accustomed to since I was 13 or 14, but the problem has worsened and knowing that I'm not fit to play is immensely depressing for me.

"I've made up my mind that I need to relieve the incessant pressure on me that surrounds the question of when I'd be fit to play again and that taking time out from rugby is the best solution for me."

Philip will continue to receive physiotherapy, but stressed that his priority was simply to become healthier and that he was not looking beyond that. Frank Hadden, the Scotland head coach, and his former coach at Edinburgh, said: "It's very sad news, not only for Tom, but also for Scotland and Edinburgh, but I respect his decision and hope he can regain good health as swiftly as possible.

"There is no point in engaging in speculation as to whether Tom may be able to return to rugby in the future because such speculation just increases the frustration for Tom. It goes without saying that I have every sympathy for him at this very difficult time."

Philip is known to have struggled with the elongated period of rehabilitation, which always takes a mental toll on players, and a series of delays to his intended return date recently heightened the frustration. There were questions asked earlier this year over whether he was pushed into Test-match rugby too early, but he actually played in all three midweek victories in Scotland's 2002 tour of North America and was a leading player in all five of Scotland's under-21 internationals and the victory against England in the Under-21 World Cup.

At the centre of Philip's struggle has been the back complaint. He had it assessed by physios, doctors and surgeons across the UK in an effort to get to the bottom of an injury. He explained earlier this year that it had taken a lot of perseverance to uncover a specialist in England who believed he had found the root of the problem.

The talented youngster was buoyant when he believed that he was over the series of injuries. However, repeated attempts to return to full training with Edinburgh this season were hindered by further back pain - he has not played a senior match since the 2004 Six Nations - and left him bewildered and unable to contemplate a future as the top-class player he was shaping up to be.

His team-mates and coaches hope that a period away from rugby may be the boost he needs to recover.

NOTE FROM ED
THE IMPACT THAT YOUNG TOM MADE AT HAWKS IN 2001-02 WAS TERRIFIC.HE SIGNED FOR THE GUNNERS ON THE EVE OF THE 2002 CUP FINAL AGAINST HAWICK
WE ALL WISH TOM AND HIS PARENTS SANDY AND SHONA ALL THE BEST AND HOPE TO SEE THEM AT OLD ANNIESLAND AT SOME TIME

This article was originally posted on 23-Nov-2005, 09:19 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 23-Nov-2005, 18:43.