Relieved Philip ready for Toulouse

EDINBURGH centre Tom Philip believes an ongoing groin injury was a greater danger to his Heineken Cup hopes than the recent citing with Scotland.

The Scottish international was cited for a high challenge on Brian O’Driscoll in the final Six Nations game of the season in Dublin.

The disciplinary procedure left a doubt over his inclusion in the Edinburgh squad for the last-eight clash against Toulouse, the reigning European Cup holders.

However, the 20-year-old was cleared by the Six Nations committee of any wrong-doing and will take place in Frank Hadden’s team in France.

But Philip, who has shrugged off his injury, maintains he was confident the committee would rule in his favour.

He said: “It is a relief because I was quite surprised to be cited in the first place. I didn’t think it was a terribly bad challenge but, at least, it’s all over now.

“I was quite positive over the outcome before the hearing because we had looked at the video and there was clearly no intent.

“So we were always positive about the result I would get.

“But I was really chuffed to be part of the Six Nations squad after doing well with Edinburgh.

“It is good to be back with the club though for such a big game.”

Edinburgh became the first Scottish professional team to progress to the knockout stages of the European Cup with five straight opening wins in their pool.

But the final game of group stages saw the Gunners crash 33-0 to today’s opposition.

However, Philip is adamant that the result will have no bearing on the outcome of the sudden-death game with Toulouse.

TOULOUSE: C Poitrenaud; V Clerc, Y Jauzion, E Ntamack, C Heymans; Y Delaigue, S Dupuy; P Collazo, Y Bru, J Poux, F Pelous (capt), T Brennan, J Bouilhou, F Maka, C Labit.

Replacements: J Fiorini, W Servat, D Gerard, R Millochlusky, I Maka, C Desbrosse, J Patey,

EDINBURGH: D Lee; S Webster, M Di Rollo, T Philip, C Paterson; B Laney, M Blair; A Jacobsen, D Hall, J Brannigan, N Hines, S Murray, T Blackadder (capt), S Cross, A Hogg.

Replacements: A Kelly, C Smith, A Kellock, A Strokosch, G Burns, C Joiner, H Southwell.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).