Scotland Rugby: Injury blow to Scotland as Phil Godman is ruled out for six months

Godman, capped 23 times by Scotland, tore his right anterior cruciate ligament, one of the worst injuries a player can suffer. A similar problem ended the career of John Rutherford more than 20 years ago, although Jason White and Nathan Hines have been among the recent players to benefit from medical advances that mean the injury need not have such catastrophic consequences any more.

The setback is bound to cast a cloud over Edinburgh, who have lost their opening three Magners League games of the season, but it also has serious consequences for Scotland. Godman surrendered his place in the national side's starting line-up to Dan Parks last season, but he is still recognised as the first-choice backup playmaker.

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"Phil sustained the injury in non-contact training yesterday," said Scotland team doctor James Robson."His rehabilitation starts now. He will have to undergo surgery in due course to repair the knee ligaments but the Edinburgh and Scotland medical teams will be working to deliver him ready to be considered for selection for the Rugby World Cup squad next year."

Weir's most conspicuous contribution to the 17-19 loss to Connacht last weekend was to miss a last-minute dropped goal that would have clinched a win for the Scottish side, but Lineen clearly believes the teenager is up to the task of directing play against the league leaders at Firhill.

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Of course, a keen contest between the two Glasgow fly-halves could be good news for Scotland as well, and Lineen is happy to watch the pair pushing each other on.

"Ruaridh has had three games in a row and I've been really impressed with how he's played," said Lineen. "He's got the line moving in both attack and defence but Duncan really deserves his chance. It's great to have two such ambitious 10s."

"We will continue to liaise with CGS to seek assurances that all outstanding issues in respect of the Athletes' Village are resolved to our satisfaction," said an SRU spokesman. "All of our players are focused on their performance and arrangements are being made to facilitate their preparation between now and their departure."

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Stand off between Dan Parks and Phil Godman in Cardiff

Settling into Cardiff life, back in the Scotland squad yet hundreds of miles away from the intense Scottish spotlight, one might assume Dan Parks was feeling quite chilled ahead of his opening league match for his new club.

But life is never that easy, especially for an international stand-off, and certainly one who has rediscovered what it takes to play at the highest level and has a deep desire to stay there. This time last year Parks was seemingly discarded by Scotland under the new coaching regime led by Andy Robinson, left out of Robinson's first squad of 44 and given little encouragement that things would change.

"But that doesn't mean the pressure has gone," he said this week, training and flat moving having left little time for relaxation ahead of this evening's Magners League opener for Cardiff.

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One year on and he was not only included in a smaller squad for the pre-season training camp at St Andrews but was there as Scotland's No 1 No 10, having claimed a handful of Man of the Match awards in the 2010 RBS Six Nations Championship and helped to steer Scotland to a maiden Test series victory in Argentina.

"Last year I was in a difficult place and I had to get my own form right. That was the challenge then but it's similar now. The focus has to be just on getting my form back to where I want it to be. It was good to come back into the Scotland team last season and the performances the team put in, and it was great to be involved with the Scotland camp last month, and be able to look forward to what we have coming up. But things change quickly and if I want to be part of that again I have to get things right in Cardiff, starting this weekend."

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"It's been over four weeks since I joined Cardiff now and I'm getting into it, but it's been pretty full-on with pre-season training, going back to Scotland for training at St Andrews, all the media build-up and finally getting into my flat this week. It's gone by quick, but I've really enjoyed it.

Parks admits that the change of scene was "scary" at first, as he headed south without his girlfriend to get to grips with pre-season training, and without a licence to drive as a result of last year's drink-driving offence. But, just as rugby handed him some dark days of depression in 2009, so the sport has brought him back.

"I think in most rugby circles you find that guys come together pretty quickly and support each other. There's quite a bond in teams, certainly every team I've been a part of. You know you have to help each other out there on the pitch if the team is going to win. You have to be there for each other.

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Rugby: Jeffrey to join IRB as Scotland rep

Former Scotland and British Lions back-row forward John Jeffrey will join Bill Nolan as one of Scottish Rugby's representatives on the International Rugby Board.

Nolan has served on the IRB, world rugby's governing body, since 2002 and is a member of its Executive Committee - its managing committee.

Gordon McKie, Scottish Rugby's chief executive, is standing down from the IRB Council having served on it since 2006.

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Jeffrey's appointment, announced on Tuesday alongside other representatives to international bodies, followed a recruitment process for all external bodies.

"I have been looking for a role in rugby since my retirement as Scotland under-20 team manager 15 months ago and when I saw the Scottish IRB representative advertised I was immediately excited.

"I see it as an extremely challenging position but one which with my background I think I can well represent Scotland's viewpoint at the highest political table.

"It is a great honour to be appointed as the Scottish IRB rep and one where I will strive to continue the good work that has been done by the previous IRB representatives.

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"In particular I am looking forward to working with Bill Nolan and benefiting from his great experience."

On the Six Nations Championship committee Scottish Rugby Board non-executive member Jock Millican will be joined by Malcolm Gillies who previously served on the committee for a three year period until June 2009, during which he reached the post of vice-chairman of the Six Nations Championship committee.

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