Knee injury puts Philip out for nine months

Instead Of preparing for tomorrow's Test match against Samoa, and a sixth Scotland cap, Tom Philip faces knee reconstruction surgery and nine months of rehabilitation on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Instead Of preparing for tomorrow's Test match against Samoa, and a sixth Scotland cap, Tom Philip faces knee reconstruction surgery and nine months of rehabilitation on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Philip, 20, was running in a training drill near Scotland's Gold Coast base on Sunday when he bumped into team-mate Dan Parks. A scan showed Philip suffered a rare form of knee injury, which involved rupturing the ligament but not damaging its protective "capsule".

Scotland recorded their first win in seven months yesterday with a 48-10 victory over New South Wales Country. Scrum-half Graeme Beveridge, Edinburgh winger Hugo Southwell, Bath flanker Scott Gray, Borders lock Scott MacLeod and replacements Paul Dearlove and Alastair Kellock scored tries, while Glasgow fly-half Dan Parks landed six conversions and two penalties.

Newcastle were yesterday finalising the details of a two-year contract with the Wales captain Colin Charvis.

Cardiff have completed eight signings. In the pack, Gethin Jenkins and Deiniol Jones are joined by Robert Sidoli and Mark Lewis. Strengthening the backs are the fly-half or centre Lee Thomas, wing/full-back Matthew Nuthall and centres Tristan Davies and Shaun James.