Godman: I learned from Wilko

Scotland’s new fly half Godman was Wilkinson’s under study at Newcastle before he switched to Edinburgh in 2004 and the 24-year-old says he learned plenty from Wilko. Godman will win his seventh cap against Wales and takes over from Dan Parks, one of three changes to the side mauled by Wilkinson’s England last weekend.

He said: “I learned a lot from Jonny at Newcastle; he taught me what it takes if I want to be the best: a lot of talent and a lot of hard work as well. It’s where I want to be, hopefully I can take my chance.”

Godman is no stranger to Scotland Head Coach Frank Hadden who was in Edinburgh’s Merchiston Castle School First XV when Hadden was rugby master. Wales have selected a mobile side and Hadden wants livewire Godman to run the show.

“We believe Phil is a guy with world-class attacking skills,” Hadden said. “He needs the opportunity to show he can lead Scotland to victory this weekend.

“This is what Scotland need, players who ask different questions of the opposition and who have varying weapons in their armoury.

“Phil is an exceptional passer of the ball and we also have to keep the Rugby World Cup in our minds, we don’t have the deepest pool of resources so we don’t want to risk having to bring someone into the squad cold.”