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Dick Best: believes loss of Cipriani is not insurmountable

Martin Johnson is going to have to revert to Charlie Hodgson who's had a terrific season for Sale or Olly Barkley who's really running into form at the moment for Bath, so he is in a strong position, he's fortunate he's got two good players to go back to.

Dick Best
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Former England Coach Dick Best told Sky Sports News that the horrific injury to Danny Cipriani is a blow for Wasps and England, but isn't insurmountable.

The England fly-half suffered a fracture dislocation of his right ankle during Wasps' 21-10 Premiership play-off semi-final win over Bath, an injury that will keep him sidelined for six-nine months.

Best believes though that Cipriani is in good hands.

He said: "I've been speaking with some of the staff at Wasps this morning and they understand it's a six-nine month rehabilitation.

"A dislocated fracture of his ankle is brutal and horrible and you wouldn't wish it upon anybody, especially a 20-year-old whose career is blossoming and would have grown considerably in New Zealand on the tour.

"He's a tough boy and I'm sure he'll get the most outstanding help at Wasps with their fantastic medical team, they won't let him play rugby until he's 100 per cent again.

"I'm pretty sure England will be hovering in the background to keep check as well, but he won't be back for next season, that's for sure."

Best believes the rehabilitation will be tough for Cipriani, mentally as well as physically.

Focus

"He's got a long time out of the game, a long time to think about things and dream up grievances. He needs to focus now as for young men who are out of the game for a long period it's very difficult.

"These things happen, I've had to put someone's leg back in from a compound fracture once and I don't want to do that again, these sort of injuries happen - thankfully they are few and far between."

With England coach Martin Johnson planning for the future the loss of Cipriani is a blow, but Best believes their is sufficient cover at 10.

"It's a big blow, Martin Johnson is finding out very quickly what life is like in the fast lane. One minute you've got somebody who you're going to build you're team around, next minute he's out of the game for a long, long time.

"So he's going to have to revert to Charlie Hodgson who's had a terrific season for Sale or Olly Barkley who's really running into form at the moment for Bath.

Fortunate

"So Johnson is in a strong position, he's fortunate he's got two good players to go back to if he needs it.

"Cipriani's a solid guy; he has been playing so well and is the sort of guy that you would build your team around for the next 10 years if you're lucky, subject to fitness.

"He would have taken control of that England side from number 10 because he knows how to play the game and has been incredibly well coached by Shaun Edwards and Ian McGeechan at Wasps and understands how to play the game and how to win."

"I think there's a good blend of young and old players who are starting the evolution if you like in England rugby, a lot of the old players after a world cup would disappear as we've seen and now we have a chance to build a new team, of which Cipriani was going to be the fabric of.

"Now he's not they're going to have to revise their plans."