Vickery: Cipriani fan

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Phil Vickery has no doubt that Wasps club-mate Danny Cipriani is capable of sparking England's back division into life against Ireland on Saturday.

Cipriani has been selected for his first international start in place of 69-cap veteran Jonny Wilkinson, who performed poorly in the 15-9 defeat in Scotland.

And England captain Vickery is confident the 20-year-old Cipriani can take his impressive club form into the international arena.

"What you can expect is what I see week in, week out at club level," Vickery told Sky Sports News.

"He is a very astute performer, someone who knows the game fantastically well and will deliver for England this weekend."

Mature

Cipriani was selected at full-back to make his first England start at Murrayfield last Saturday, but coach Brian Ashton removed him from the squad after he was pictured leaving a nightclub after midnight - in breach of team curfew - in the build up to the match.

But Vickery has no concerns about his on-field temperament, adding: "This year he has stepped up and has been playing some great rugby and I've seen a calmness on the field that defies his age.

"He's very confident in his ability because he's a very good rugby player.

"I think he's learnt a huge amount in a very short period of time. I don't think anyone has ever doubted his ability as a rugby player."