England head coach Stuart Lancaster awaits Danny Cipriani case
Tuesday 23 June 2015 15:14, UK
Danny Cipriani's England future will be decided after the investigation into his drink-drive arrest, head coach Stuart Lancaster has told Sky Sports News HQ.
England began their summer training camp on Monday without centre Manu Tuilagi and hooker Dylan Hartley, who will miss the tournament after Lancaster responded decisively to recent lapses in judgement and Cipriani could join them on the absentee list.
The Sale fly-half was arrested on suspicion of drink driving earlier this month and must wait until early August to discover the outcome of a police investigation.
For the time being Cipriani remains part of Lancaster's initial 50-man squad for the World Cup, which will be cut to 31 ahead of the opening match with Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
Lancaster told SSNHQ: said: "I am waiting for the outcome of the Police investigation. But he's not been charged with anything.
"I will have to wait to see if the Police have anything to prosecute him with. Then I'll make my decision thereafter. He's been training fine though and the Police should finalise their decision early August."
It's not ideal that you're in that position where you're having to make decisions like that, particularly when they're high-quality players
Lancaster says Cipriani will be in the United States for the forthcoming high-altitude training camp in Denver, Colorado but added that he was frustrated with player omissions forced upon him.
Lancaster said: "It's not ideal that you're in that position where you're having to make decisions like that, particularly when they're high-quality players."
And the group have been reminded of their responsibilities, with many of them taken back to Lancaster's first camp as head coach in January 2012 in Leeds where he set out the team's values.
Wing David Strettle has withdrawn from the England squad to prepare for his move to French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne after leaving Saracens.
On the timing of Strettle's late announcement, Lancaster told SSNHQ: "The Clermont approach came to him very late.
"I selected him on the basis he’d be around next year but I have to respect that. One person missing out though is someone coming in."
Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni has replaced Strettle and will leave Fiji imminently to join up with England. Wasps' Christian Wade remains in the selectors' minds.
