Philip agrees to 'help out' at Watsonians

WATSONIANS have moved to try and persuade Tom Philip back into rugby union as a player-coach at Myreside.

The former Scotland centre, who won five caps in 2004 before suffering a serious knee injury, walked away from the game at just 22 after a succession of injury problems connected to his back. The former Edinburgh player studied journalism and looked into the phenomenon of cage fighting, before returning to rugby as a coach at Edinburgh Academicals and the odd return to the field as a player.

Earlier this year he switched to rugby league and joined Whitehaven, but last week he turned up at Myreside at the invitation of his former Edinburgh team-mate, Marcus Di Rollo, who has now taken over as head coach at Watsonians. Philip helped out at training on Thursday night and watched Saturday's Premier One defeat to Boroughmuir from the sidelines.

Watsonians have lost their opening four games this season and are languishing at the foot of the table with just one point and Di Rollo confirmed that he was hopeful that Philip could help him to inspire the players.

He told The Scotsman that Philip had agreed to help out with some coaching, but that nothing was firmed up as to how long that might be for and whether he would also pull on a playing jersey.

Di Rollo said: "I had a chat with him a little while ago and asked if he wanted to get involved in a coaching role, and he was delighted. So he came down last week and was with us at the weekend, and he's coming along this week to help out, too.

"I touched on whether he'd be up for playing because he has been playing rugby league and obviously keeps himself in good shape, and he said he'll let me know when he's ready for that. So, at the moment he's just helping us out with overall coaching, and I'm delighted to have his input."