FORMER HAWKS CENTRE TOM PHILIP WILL BE COACHING AT RAEBURN PLACE NEXT SEASON
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
Wed 26 Jul 2006

Philip to return to rugby as coach with Accies
BILL LOTHIAN
TOM PHILIP, the rising Scottish Six Nations star who, a year ago, was forced to call time on his rugby career at the age of 22, is returning to rugby as a coach.

Awarded a debut cap by Matt Williams early in 2004 against Wales in Cardiff, then subsequently the victim of knee and back injuries four matches later,Philip will take a step back into the game assisting at Edinburgh Academicals.

A statement on the Accies website indicates that the Premiership Division Two side will have a high profile ex-centre, who was tipped by many as a potential British and Irish Lion in 2005 until injury struck in their corner.

"Cliff Livingston has moved on to become coach at Murrayfield Wanderers and will be replaced by Tom Philip - ex-Edinburgh Academy and Scotland," says a statement.

The prospect of increasing involvement will bring delight to many followers particularly those of Edinburgh Gunners where Philip, nicknamed "Tank", made a spectacular rise to prominence.

It was shortly after starring with Scotland in three midweek victories on the 2002 tour of North America that Philip's Gunners career began in earnest and he was soon attracting the attention of a new national coaching regime led by Williams. But, while fellow debutants Chris Cusiter and Ally Hogg kicked on, Philip's career began to go into reverse mainly on account of resurfacing back problems.

In November 2005 Philip said: "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." Later Philip, who has been working as a fitness consultant, confirmed that it is his ultimate intention to return: "I think I will play again, he said.

"There is no reason that I shouldn't play rugby again, although I know it will be hard to get back to where I was

This article was originally posted on 26-Jul-2006, 12:00 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 26-Jul-2006, 12:02.