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Nathan Hughes backs Danny Cipriani to put on England show

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Nathan Hughes has backed his Wasps team-mate Danny Cipriani to take centre stage for England against South Africa

Nathan Hughes says England fans will see a "Danny Cipriani show" in their final Test against South Africa on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Cipriani has already said he will be "the calmest guy in the room" when he makes his first England start since 2008 this weekend, having been named in Eddie Jones' XV in place of George Ford.

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His England return comes as no surprise to Hughes, Cipriani's team-mate for club and country, who says the fly-half's creativity is a big factor behind Wasps' recent success.

"He's a very intelligent footballer and the way he runs the game is one of the reasons why Wasps have been successful the last few years," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"As a defender, you don't want Danny Cipriani running at you."

Danny Cipriani will make his first England start since 2008
Image: Danny Cipriani will make his first England start since 2008

Jones' side have already lost the three-game series after a fifth successive Test defeat last weekend put them 2-0 down, prompting further calls for Cipriani to be handed the No 10 jersey.

Cipriani's impressive 14-minute cameo off the bench in England's 23-12 loss in Bloemfontein seems to have finally convinced the England head coach to act.

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"He's excited and looking forward to it," Hughes said of Cipriani.

"I'm happy for him, he's trained hard, kept his head down and cracked on.

"The opportunity has come now and you'll see a Danny Cipriani show on Saturday."

Tune into Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 3pm on Saturday for England's third Test with South Africa from Newlands in Cape Town.

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