Tom Philip

Tom Philip (born 25 June 1983) is a Scottish former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played as centre. He made five international appearances for the Scotland national team. He played rugby union for Edinburgh Rugby (2003–2005) and Edinburgh Academicals (2008–9), before switching to rugby league and playing for Whitehaven, Edinburgh Eagles and South Wales Scorpions. He coached Haddington rugby club.

Thomas Philip
Birth nameThomas Kenneth Philip[1]
Date of birth (1983-06-25) 25 June 1983
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Rugby league career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 Whitehaven RLFC ()
Edinburgh Eagles ()
South Wales Scorpions ()
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001-02 Glasgow Hawks RFC ()
2008-09 Edinburgh Academicals 4 ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003-05 Edinburgh Rugby ()
Correct as of 18 December 2012
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004 Scotland 5 (0)
Correct as of 18 December 2012
Coaching career
Years Team
2012-13 Haddington RFC

Early life

Philip was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Rugby career

In 2001 Philip played at centre for BT Premiership Division One side Glasgow Hawks RFC.[2] While only out of school, he was already being recognised as possessing power and talent.[3] He featured for Hawks in the 2002 BT Cellnet Cup final, where they lost to Hawick RFC.[4]

In May 2002, age 18, he was signed by Edinburgh Rugby. Philip had already been selected for the 2002 tour of North America[5] and he played three uncapped matches for Scotland. He played for the under-21 rugby team in February 2003.[6]

He was named in the Scotland squad by coach Matt Williams ahead of the 2004 Six Nations Championship. He made his international debut against Wales in Cardiff.[7] He played in all five matches of the tournament. Following the Ireland match he was reported for a high tackle, but received no sanction.[8] In May 2004, he appeared for Scotland at Murrayfield against Barbarian F.C.[9]

In June 2004, while on Scotland's summer tour of Oceania, Philip sustained a torn anterior cruciate knee injury during a training drill.[10] Despite recovering from this injury, he experienced persistent chronic back and groin pain that forced him to announce a break from sport in November 2005 at the age of only 22.[11]

He returned to play for Scottish Premiership Division One side Edinburgh Academicals, making four starts in 2008–2009,[12] after having part of his spine fused in 2005.

In April 2010, he returned to professional sport, switching codes to league in 2010 when he signed a three-month contract to play for RFL Championship team Whitehaven.[12][13] He also then played for Edinburgh Eagles and South Wales Scorpions in the Championship One.

He did some coaching with Edinburgh Academicals,[14] then in May 2012, Haddington RFC appointed him as head coach at the age of just 28.[15][16] Just over a year later he had left this position.[17]

Personal Info

Philip has spoken about his experience with over-exercising, linking this to the mental health difficulties, having to come to terms with his playing career being cut short.[15][18]

References
  1. "Tom Philip". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  2. "BT Premiership roundup". BBC Sport. 15 December 2001. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  3. Beattie, John (18 April 2002). "Cup fever at Murrayfield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  4. "F-T: Hawick 20-17 Glasgow Hawks". BBC Sport. 20 April 2002. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  5. "Hodge re-signs for Edinburgh". BBC Sport. 31 May 2002. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  6. "Hogg to skipper Scotland U21s". ESPN. 12 February 2003. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  7. "New blood for Scotland". BBC Sport. 11 February 2004. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. "Philip cleared over tackle". BBC Sport. 31 March 2004. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  9. "Game Scots fail to keep Barbarians at bay". Irish Independent. 23 May 2004. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  10. "Two-on-one beach drill accident leaves Philip facing knee reconstruction surgery". The Herald. Glasgow. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  11. "Injury forces Philip out of rugby". BBC Sport. 22 November 2005. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  12. "Rugby: Scots Union star Tom Philip joins League". The Scotsman. 16 April 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  13. "Rugby: Tom Philip reveals Blair advice in switch to rugby league". Edinburgh Evening News. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  14. "Philip agrees to 'help out' at Watsonians". The Scotsman. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  15. Ferrie, Kevin (30 May 2012). "A risk worth taking". The Herald. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  16. "Tom Philip takes up reins at Haddington". The Scotsman. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  17. "Fresh start for new rugby season". East Lothian Courier. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  18. "Former Scotland player opens up about over-exercising". BBC News. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
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