EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

TOM PHILIP is today planning a first return to the Murrayfield arena he has illuminated so often in the past since putting his rugby career on hold due to injury more than two years ago.

But, instead of running up the tunnel in either the Edinburgh or Scotland jersey he has previously graced, the powerhouse centre, still just 23, will be restricted to the 'safe' side of the touchline in his new capacity as an assistant coach. Keen to remain involved while continuing treatment for a back ailment, Philip has spent this season as part of the backroom brigade at an Edinburgh Acads club who have qualified to meet Glasgow Hawks in the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday week.

If memories - both good and bad - will come flooding back on the big day Philip also admits the final will provide a reminder of just how dramatically changes can occur and the scales start tipping back your way again.

Or as that sign in the Murrayfield changing room declares: 'Tough times don't last - but tough players do!'

Says Philip: "While at Glasgow University I played for Hawks in the 2002 final - and guess who put the boot into us that day?

"It was none other than Gavin Douglas who was then with Hawick and who dropped the winning goal.

"Nowadays Gavin is stand off at Acads so, yes, it would be good if things went similarly full circle for me because I haven't given up hope of playing again.

"I haven't been back to Murrayfield for an international [he played throughout the 2004 Six Nations series in compiling a haul of five caps so far] because I usually watch on television.

"It is frustrating being part of things but not being part of it, if you know what I mean.

"Although I am close to the players there is a bonding that comes from crossing that touchline and putting your body on the line for your team-mates and that is the way it has to be.

"The hardest part, though, is seeing them do that, watching the little scraps occurring and so on...then having to stand back."

Fortunately the quietly spoken Philip is managing to remain philosophical with a dash of self-deprecating humour lurking below the surface of his remarks.

"Even if I do get back to playing at Acads [where he went to school] the form of some of our young backs is so good I might not get selected."

While the fact that Philip, who would have been a strong contender for the 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand, speaks with tongue firmly in cheek should be obvious there is, equally, no mistaking his high regard for the next generation of prospects.

"Acads get accused of being forward orientated but Paul Loudon, an under-17 international centre, runs good lines and our winger, Dave Rattray, is very hard to stop when he gets the ball in his hands.

"There was a lot of talk before beating Boroughmuir [38-14 in last Saturday's pulsating semi-final] about the quality of their back three and breakaway trio.

"Acads more than matched them and if we get it together on the day then Hawks can be beaten while continued improvement should see us compete when back in Division One next season."

This article was originally posted on 24-Apr-2007, 11:08 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 24-Apr-2007, 13:31.