Skip to content

Danny Cipriani can be pleased with his Wasps return, says Dai Young

Danny Cipriani of Wasps in action during the Aviva Premiership match between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at Ricoh Arena
Image: Danny Cipriani made his first appearance for Wasps on Sunday since re-joining the club from Sale

Dai Young says Danny Cipriani can be "pretty pleased" with his Wasps return - a 25-20 victory over Exeter on Sunday.

Cipriani played his first match for Wasps since re-joining the club from Sale Sharks as Young's side fought from 12 points down to claim an opening day win.

Young was especially pleased with Cipriani's performance in what was his first game for the club since 2010. 

Josh Bassett of Wasps breaks with the ball during the Aviva Premiership match against Exeter
Image: Wasps defeated Exeter 25-20 at the Ricoh Arena

"Danny was a little bit frustrated in the first half, because he didn't have the options," Young said.

"But for his first hit-up back in the Wasps jersey, I think he can be pretty pleased. He did pretty well."

Jimmy Gopperth, Dan Robson and Tommy Taylor all scored tries for the hosts, who dominated the second half at the Ricoh Arena after a poor first-half showing.

Dan Robson scores a try for Wasps against Exeter in the Aviva Premiership
Image: Dan Robson scores a try for Wasps on Sunday

"It was certainly a game of two halves," said Young. "The first half, we were disappointed with our work-rate, and we kicked the ball away far too many times.

Also See:

"At half-time, we talked about working harder, getting ourselves into position earlier, winning the gain-line battle and getting quick ball.

"I was pleased with the second half and that we found a way to win."

Wasps' Danny Cipriani has kick charged down
Image: Cipriani made a solid, if unremarkable, start to his season against Exeter

Cipriani was involved in a controversial incident where Ollie Devoto's boot came dangerously close to the fly-half's head at a maul.

However, Young believes the referee made the correct decision not to punish the Exeter centre.

"Yes, it was an obvious kick through (the maul), but there is nobody in that Exeter team, I believe, would look to kick any one of our players in the head," he said.

Dai Young, Wasps' Director of Rugby
Image: Wasps director of rugby Dai Young was happy with his team's second-half performance in the victory over Exeter

"I don't believe for one minute that it was intentional.

"That's just not in their make-up, right through their club, so if there was connection with the head, it was a total accident. I certainly wouldn't be thinking anything along the lines of foul play, because that is not part of Exeter's make-up."