Cipriani: Unbelievable talent

I'm not just saying it because he's from Wasps, I'm saying it because he is an unbelievable talent. England should find room for him

Lawrence Dallaglio
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Lawrence Dallaglio insists that, because of Danny Cipriani's "unbelievable talent", England should find a starting place for him in their RBS Six Nations opener against Wales - even if Jonny Wilkinson starts at fly-half.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation in the number 10 jersey for Wasps this season; however, club captain Dallaglio believes that, with Wilkinson unlikely to be dropped by England head coach Brian Ashton, the youngster could also prove dangerous if picked at full-back.

Dallaglio said: "His skills and his potential future mark him out as someone I would put in the team somewhere.

"Clearly Jonny Wilkinson is still a formidable player and his experience will count in his favour.

"But if I was coaching England and didn't play Danny at 10 then I would play him at full-back. He has got the potential to have a bit of the Christian Cullen about him.

"I don't know what is going through the selectors' minds but people who are playing against England would be a lot happier if Danny Cipriani was not in the team.

"He has got unbelievable pace and has that wonderful kicking ability which you need at international level.

"At Wasps we were confident enough to play him in front of 85,000 people at full-back in a Heineken Cup final.

"There are other options at full-back and fly-half. I'm not just saying it because he's from Wasps, I'm saying it because he is an unbelievable talent. England should find room for him."

Competition

Cipriani would face stiff competition for the number 15 jersey from Gloucester's Iain Balshaw and Newcastle's Mathew Tait, the latter moving to the position during the World Cup final.

And Ashton has already warned against placing too great a reliance on youthful promise, arguing that club form is not always preferable to international experience.

But Dallaglio believes Cipriani could make the same kind of impact this season that Balshaw made for England back in 2001.

"If Josh Lewsey is not making the squad and Jason Robinson has retired, that would suggest there is an opening at full back," Dallaglio continued.

"They are looking at Tait but he's played a limited amount of game time at full-back and I'm not sure he's entirely comfortable in the position himself. He'd prefer outside centre.

"There is an opportunity there. It's not like Danny has never played a game there. He has played in the biggest club game in the world at this stadium and won.

"You would not lose anything from a tactical kicking game by having him there, and when you have that pace that a Balshaw had when he burst on the scene it could be exciting."

England host Wales at Twickenham on Saturday February 2nd.