GODMAN GEARS UP FOR PREMIERSHIP TEST
The fly-half supremo, 31, put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the North East outfit towards the end of last term following a solitary season at London Scottish.
And the 23-times capped Scotland international, who came through the academy ranks at Kingston Park before a move to his native Edinburgh Rugby, is enthusiastic about his future on Tyneside.
“It’s a very exciting time to be joining the club as we embark on a new season in the Aviva Premiership,” said Godman.
He added: “There is a really good atmosphere around the club and I can’t wait to get started. I was 18 and 19 when I was last here, and there was a lot of competition at the time with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Dave Walder competing for the No.10 jersey.
“When Jonny got injured it unfortunately coincided with me getting injured, so that wasn’t ideal in terms of me getting the opportunity to show what I could do.
“That said, it was great to train and play alongside those individuals, and it was a great learning curve – they are both class fly-halves and it was great to be around them.”
After a four-year stint with the Falcons, Godman was on the move to Edinburgh where he established himself as a first team regular earning him international recognition.
Reflecting on his time at Murrayfield, the former Merchiston Castle School pupil reveals he always had ambitions of performing on the Premiership stage.
Godman said: “It was a good move for me to go to Edinburgh, but I always had ambitions of coming back and playing at the highest level in England.
“It’s a great league and I always wanted to come back and test myself in the Premiership.”
Godman joins Dean Richards’ men on the back of a successful campaign with London Scottish where he brought experienced control to the backline, a trait he underlined in a narrow 12-9 defeat to Newcastle before Christmas.
“I really enjoyed my time at London Scottish, and although it was a big change from the set-up at Edinburgh, it was a good experience,” said Godman.
“It’s a great club with a lot of history and tradition and I’m just delighted to get the opportunity to play at the highest level again.
“I feel that I’ve got a few good years left in me to make a significant impact, and I’m ready to go.”
