England Leave Cipriani Out in the Cold
Danny Cipriani has been ditched by England team manager Martin Johnson for the Six Nations opener against Italy
Danny Cipriani's hopes of reviving his interrupted Test career against Italy this weekend have been booted into touch by England's team manager, Martin Johnson, who has omitted the Wasps fly-half entirely from his matchday 22 for the opening weekend of this year's Six Nations Championship.
Cipriani will instead line up for the second-string England Saxons in Dublin on Friday evening, a very public message that the senior management do not trust the 21-year-old to steer an under-pressure team to safety against an Italian side who have never beaten their hosts since their admission to the Six Nations in 2000.
While insisting Cipriani is still in contention for future Six Nations matches, it is clear Johnson remains unconvinced that the player has regained his best form since returning from a serious ankle injury. It leaves Leicester's Toby Flood, who started ahead of Cipriani against the All Blacks last November, as the most likely choice to wear the No10 jersey, fitness permitting. Brive's Andy Goode, however, has been asked to stay with the squad, who were forced to train indoors in Reading today because of the weather.
There will be immediate speculation that Cipriani, who has had a series of clearance kicks charged down during his short international career, is also being subtly reminded that a high profile off the field does not necessarily guarantee a starting Test place. Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite director of rugby, insisted tonight, however, that Cipriani's demotion was purely "a selection decision". Johnson himself stressed his desire to see Cipriani, along with Leicester's Harry Ellis, play in a representative fixture below full Test level. "Both players remain in my plans for the Six Nations but I'd like to see them get some game time with the Saxons."
The upshot of Ellis's presence in the Saxons squad is that Northampton's uncapped Ben Foden is certain to feature in the matchday squad to be announced tomorrow lunchtime. Andrew, meanwhile, has brushed aside suggestions that England squad players not required for the Italian game should have been available for Guinness Premiership rugby last weekend.
Cipriani will instead line up for the second-string England Saxons in Dublin on Friday evening, a very public message that the senior management do not trust the 21-year-old to steer an under-pressure team to safety against an Italian side who have never beaten their hosts since their admission to the Six Nations in 2000.
While insisting Cipriani is still in contention for future Six Nations matches, it is clear Johnson remains unconvinced that the player has regained his best form since returning from a serious ankle injury. It leaves Leicester's Toby Flood, who started ahead of Cipriani against the All Blacks last November, as the most likely choice to wear the No10 jersey, fitness permitting. Brive's Andy Goode, however, has been asked to stay with the squad, who were forced to train indoors in Reading today because of the weather.
There will be immediate speculation that Cipriani, who has had a series of clearance kicks charged down during his short international career, is also being subtly reminded that a high profile off the field does not necessarily guarantee a starting Test place. Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite director of rugby, insisted tonight, however, that Cipriani's demotion was purely "a selection decision". Johnson himself stressed his desire to see Cipriani, along with Leicester's Harry Ellis, play in a representative fixture below full Test level. "Both players remain in my plans for the Six Nations but I'd like to see them get some game time with the Saxons."
The upshot of Ellis's presence in the Saxons squad is that Northampton's uncapped Ben Foden is certain to feature in the matchday squad to be announced tomorrow lunchtime. Andrew, meanwhile, has brushed aside suggestions that England squad players not required for the Italian game should have been available for Guinness Premiership rugby last weekend.
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