Dallaglio - Jonny will fight

World Cup winner warns Cipriani against complacency

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 20th March 2008

Lawrence Dallaglio Wasps training March 20

Dallaglio: Cipriani warning

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Lawrence Dallaglio has warned England sensation Danny Cipriani that Jonny Wilkinson will not relinquish the No.10 jersey without a fight.

Cipriani starred on his England debut and ensured his countries RBS Six Nations campaign didn't go out with a whimper as he lit up Twickenham in Saturday's 33-10 win over Ireland.

However, Wasps team mate and England stalwart Dallaglio has provided the 20-year-old with a timely reminder that Wilkinson will be desperate to reclaim the fly-half jersey.

"When I was playing for England it was all about competition and it's no different now," Dallaglio said.

"Make no mistake about it, Jonny will go away and work incredibly hard on making sure he pushes Danny all the way.

"If that makes Danny a better player, then great."

Delighted

Cipriani returns to club duty for Saturday's EDF Energy Cup clash against Leicester and Dallaglio expects the new golden boy of English rugby to be under intense scrutiny after his debut masterclass.

"Danny made a super debut and we're delighted for him at Wasps," he said. The pressure on him was great.

"There was Jonny watching eagerly from the sidelines, so to perform to that level was great.

"That's the whole ethos of Wasps - to get people up to that level and make sure they stay there.

"As an England fly-half there will always be a level of attention on him - he replaced Jonny Wilkinson at number 10 so he better get used to it.

"But he's at a club which is used to attention and in an environment where there are players who have had and continue to have that sort of attention so I don't think it will be an issue.

"In Ian McGeechan we've got the former Lions and Scotland coach, a Wales coach in Shaun Edwards and now an England fly-half. Great."