Kyle Willets Godwin

Kyle Godwin was one of the brightest prospects to emerge from the Western Australian Pathways program. Comfortable at both first and second five-eighth, Godwin developed into a fine distributor and a robust midfield defender.

Zimbabwe-born but Perth-educated, Godwin captained his state, represented the Australian Schoolboys, made his Super Rugby debut as a 19-year old and represented the Australian U20s team at the 2012 Junior World Championship in South Africa however national honours at the senior level proved elusive.

Nonetheless, Godwin could not have asked for a better start to his professional career when his Western Force thumped Queensland 45-19 in round six of the 2012 season. The following year Godwin won the club’s prestigious Nathan Sharpe Medal ahead of well-established Wallabies Ben McCalman and Matt Hodgson.

He was selected in the Wallabies 30-man squad for the 2014 Rugby Championship without winning a cap before a shoulder injury later ruled him out of that year’s Spring Tour to Europe. Consistent form earned Godwin a spot on the 2016 Spring Tour of Europe where he finally made his international Test debut, against France in Paris. He impressed on his debut with great poise and added plenty to his side’s attack with silky playmaker skills and an accurate kicking game.

In 2018, Godwin signed a two year contract to play for Connacht in the Pro-14. He returned to Australia, and the Force, in 2020 for three seasons. Godwin returned to Europe in 2022/23 with Lyon and in 2024 was cleared by World Rugby to represent Zimbabwe on their tour of the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.

Highlights

2009 Selected in the Australian Schools match day squad for the domestic Tests against Tongan Schools and New Zealand Schools. Selected on the Australian Schools tour of Ireland and the United Kingdom where he started at fly-half against Ireland U18s.

2012 Selected in the Australian U20s squad for the fifth-annual IRB Junior World Championship tournament in South Africa.

2016 Godwin won his first Test cap as the starting inside centre in the 25-23 victory over France at Stade de France.