A former rugby union international, whose career at the top level was cut short by injury, will feature in a Masters rugby league game at Maryport on Friday, July 15.
Tom Philip, capped five times by Scotland before injury struck, switched to rugby league with Whitehaven on his comeback in 2010 but eventually had to call it a day.
Philip, now 39, has had to battle mental health issues cause by his injuries and the depression associated with early retirement.
He’s now been encouraged to enjoy a game of Masters in West Cumbria and his first taste of it will be against a newly formed Maryport side.
Dave Farrell, a leading light in Masters rugby league in the county says: “I have kept in touch with Tom since he played at Whitehaven and I know how he’s struggled coping with injuries and having to finish playing so early in his career.
“I’ve suggested coming over and trying out Masters, which is for players 35-plus and he’s looking forward to the game at Maryport.
“Ronnie Spencer has been keen to get a Maryport team up and running so this is going to be a trial for them against our West Cumbrian Masters squad.”
Edinburgh-born Philip was an exciting talent as a youngster and shortly after leaving school the powerfully-built centre was playing for Glasgow Hawks, soon switching to Edinburgh.
He was named in the Scotland squad for the 2004 Six Nations Championship and played in all five matches but disaster struck on Scotland’s Oceanic tour that summer.
During a training drill he sustained a torn anterior cruciate knee injury and although recovering 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.
He had part of his spine fused but it wasn’t until 2008 that he played again, managing four games in the Scottish Premiership Division with Edinburgh Academicals.
It was in 2010 that he signed a three month contract with Whitehaven, switching codes, and also played for South Wales Scorpions.
He had a stint back in union coaching at Edinburgh Academicals and had a short spell coaching the Haddington club in Championship East.
Since then Philip has gone on record about his experiences with over-exercising and strict dieting in order to hide his poor mental health.
Farrell said: “He’s a great lad whose had such bad luck after such a fine start to an international career, and I feel sure he will enjoy what Masters rugby has to offer.”
