Six Nations: England head coach Stuart Lancaster hails Danny Cipriani
Wednesday 21 January 2015 14:37, UK
England head coach Stuart Lancaster says Danny Cipriani's recall is a result of hard work and improvement on the part of the Sale fly-half.
The mercurial 27-year-old has been included in Lancaster's 34-man training squad ahead of the Six Nations - joining Harlequins No 8 Nick Easter, who at the age of 36 is back in an England squad for the first time since the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Lancaster said: "Danny's not been far away at all from the New Zealand. He came on the tour and into camp in August. When it came down to that squad for the autumn internationals we felt that Stephen Myler just had the edge on him.
"Since then, he's improved his game and worked hard. We want to create the opportunity for him and Stephen to come in together. Both Bath and Northampton have got big games on Sunday. It's a good chance for Danny to come in and put a marker down.
Danny's not been far away at all from the New Zealand. He came on the tour and into camp in August. When it came down to that squad for the autumn internationals we felt that Stephen Myler just had the edge on him.
"Regarding the 10 slot, George Ford and Owen Farrell both played extremely well at the weekend but we'll see where we go. We base a lot of our decisions on the training.
"We've got a very competitive squad. Take loosehead for example - we've got Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola and Joe Marler. We've got that two-week period to prepare and we'll use that time wisely.
"Nick is slightly different. He's not been involved since I started. I think now, particularly with Ben Morgan's injury, we need specialist No 8s in the squad. Billy Vunipola was outstanding last time. We need two and Nick deserves his opportunity. Both are in the mix.
"We're looking forward to getting going. It's a big European weekend this weekend so we'll assess the injuries. Hopefully we'll be okay. We're going to train Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday next week with a practice game on Friday night."
Former England scrum-half Dewi Morris was pleased to see Cipriani included but is urging Lancaster to take note of Bath's 35-18 Champions Cup victory in Toulouse at the weekend, when England fly-half George Ford was supported by centres Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph, who also make the squad.
Morris told Sky Sports News HQ: "I know Sale coach Steve Diamond and he had an arm round his shoulder and said he'd start talking about Cipriani when he starts doing things properly. He's obviously done that and he was on the tour in the summer and took his chance. That's all he can do.
'Something different'
The priority is to get him 100% fit so that these problems don't continue. It gives other people opportunities like it did in the Six Nations last year, when we flourished.
"Whether he'll be given that chance, given that it's a big squad, is up to Stuart Lancaster. If you want the pragmatic way, you go for the Myler/Farrell way or if you want something a bit different, which I hope he does, you go with the Ford/Cipriani route.
"If you watch Bath's performance against Toulouse away it was just outstanding from 10, 12 and 13. The England forwards are stoic and give you ball. We win ball against the top sides. They fear our forwards. If I was in charge, I'd put Jonathan Joseph at 13, Eastmond at 12 and Ford at 10."
More concerning for England is the absence of star centre Manu Tuilagi, but coach Andy Farrell remains confident the Leicester man will recover from the groin injury that will keep him out of the opening clash in Wales on February 6.
Farrell said: "I wouldn't say it's a concern. He's a young lad who's had a few niggles. He'd have liked to play in a few Test matches than he has done by like all young lads, he'll come bouncing back.
"The priority is to get him 100% fit so that these problems don't continue. It gives other people opportunities like it did in the Six Nations last year, when we flourished. We had a good competition last year so it's a good opportunity for another lad.
"We want a fully fit Manu so we can fire on all cylinders and I'm sure that'll be the case come World Cup time."
