Phillips Cleared

Scotland centre Tom Philip escaped
punishment by a
Six Nations disciplinary panel here Thursday even though they ruled
that his
high tackle on Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll in last weekend’s
clash was
dangerous.
But the fact that no ban has been imposed means Philip is clear to
play for
Edinburgh in their European Cup quarter-final against French holders
Toulouse
on April 10.
Philip’s challenge on O’Driscoll took place during Ireland’s 37-16
Triple
Crown clinching win here at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, a result that
condemned Scotland to the wooden spoon after they lost all five of
their Six
Nations games this season.
However, the incident was missed by match officials and prompted
Ireland
chiefs, whose side finished second in the table behind Grand-Slam
winners
France, to cite Philip.
But, after meeting on Wednesday, a disciplinary committee
comprising of
Paul Mauriac (France), Terry Vaux (Wales) and former England prop
Jeff Probyn
said in a statement issued Thursday they did not believe a suspension
was
justified as the incident was only worth a yellow card.
“The committee upheld the citing complaint and judged that,
although the
tackle was considered dangerous within the meaning of Law 10.4. (e),
they
believed that the tackle was made recklessly rather than with
intent,” the
statement said.
“In our view, referees deal with this type of tackle by
issuing a yellow
card. In such circumstances, we do not feel that any suspension would
be
appropriate.”