PHIL GODMAN was today celebrating a double rugby success after adding a two-year contract extension with Edinburgh to a Scotland tour call-up.
The 25-year-old is happy to commit himself at Edinburgh until 2010, knowing that he could return from next month's Argentinian tour as first choice international stand-off and ready to face any challenge for the No.10 shirt from Chris Paterson – re-
signed from Gloucester.
For Godman, inclusion against the Pumas on June 7 and 14 would also signal rehabilitation from the dark day towards the end of last season when he last wore Scotland colours.
That outing coincided with a first Scottish Six Nations home defeat by Italy, a match which started with Godman's opening kick upfield being charged down for a try as a prelude to a further couple of opposition touchdowns almost before the Murrayfield crowd had settled into their seats.
Rather than dwell on any misfortune Godman is content to put matters to bed, saying: "As a rugby player you get ups and downs.
"Italy last season was only my second start in the Six Nations and came a week after I'd shared in a win over Wales.
"(That) one kick being charged down saw me used as a scapegoat whereas Cus (Chris Cusiter) threw two interception passes and he played the next week. It was a bit frustrating."
In looking ahead Godman makes it clear his personal revival coincided with an upturn in the general outlook at Edinburgh.
"Last season after the Six Nations was over the season just faded away.
"Contrast that with the determination shown last weekend at Ospreys when we pulled off the away win deep into injury time in our second-last fixture.
"If you'd asked me at this time last year if I'd fancied staying on at Edinburgh the answer would have been 'no'.
"There has been a 360 degree turn-around on my part and the majority of the squad will be back next season which says a lot for the spirit."
In fact, Edinburgh will be bolstered by the arrival of Test lock Jim Hamilton as well as Paterson and it reflects favourably on the management skills of coach Andy Robinson that he took Godman aside to brief him on any prospect of intensifying competition.
"Andy Robinson told me last week that Chris Paterson was going to be signing.
"It was certainly better than learning from a newspaper that Stephen Larkham was due to be joining to play in my position of stand-off a year earlier, although that move didn't ultimately work out for the Australian.
"So far as competition goes you are always going to have somebody breathing down your neck.
"At the start of this season David Blair was in for a spell and I was the one trying to apply the pressure."
Once again Godman will find himself in that role with Dan Parks the current Scottish incumbent, albeit after a late re-shuffle prior to Scotland's previous game which saw Chris Paterson switch from No.10 to winger.
What is also apparent is that Godman intends to waste no time stepping up his bid for a ninth cap with Scotland coach Frank Hadden or his representative due to be at Stradey Park on Saturday when Edinburgh conclude their season against Llanelli.
Here Godman intends to build on favourable impressions over the past two wins against Leinster (home) as well as Ospreys while it is emerging that he played through the pain barrier. Currently stuck on 99 points for the league season, it seems he will have to strike out for his century through scoring tries as he intends to continue taking no undue risks with an ankle that was recently damaged.
"It was touch and go whether I played the last couple of games after taking a knock against Glasgow.
"Any kick over the past two games was painful and, although I'm feeling back to normal, there are others who can kick so as not to take any risks that are unnecessary especially with so much to look forward to."
And if Godman earns his recall and finds Argentinian markers bearing down on him as he prepares to kick what will have tactic be this time around?
"In that match against Italy we had a game-plan that was high risk. If I'd executed the kick there would have been a chance we could have moved from our own goal-line up to the other end and scored ourselves.
"Nine times out of ten I'd have backed myself to get the kick right an, if the same situation occurs in Argentina, you can be sure I'll be getting that ball right down the pitch."
The full article contains 793 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
