Melbourne Rebels fly half Danny Cipriani hopes to miss the opening month of the Super Rugby season because of international duties.
England’s Six Nations squad is due to be announced this week and the headline magnet has a clause in his contract that frees him for national team duties.
With Jonny Wilkinson retiring from international duties and Toby Flood’s knee injury ruling him out of the early part of the Six Nations, Cipriani’s chances of an international recall have been boosted.
And he continues to publicly court interim England coach Stuart Lancaster.
“I’m optimistic of getting another chance to play for England and I won’t give up hoping, but I know there are no guarantees for anyone,” he told the Sunday Express.
“I’ve got a long-term goal now to be in the England squad for 2012 and to be first-choice No.10.
“In the past it was probably easier not to pick me.
“I’m working now to make sure I front up in those areas.”
Cipriani expressed similar sentiments in late November before playing for a badly-beaten Barbarians side against Australia at Twickenham.
The Six Nations run from February 4 to March 17.
“I’ve worked with Stuart Lancaster before and I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” Cipriani said.
“I’m encouraged that he’s said that players who were previously overlooked or on the fringes are now going to be considered to play for England.
“I’m not saying that I am definitely going to be picked but from my point of view I’ve never been fitter or trained harder and I’ve never wanted it (international rugby) more.”
Big Al.
Guest
Crapriani !
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Hahaaa HP ! I would have thought that "Dear Old Danny" and anything like patience and solid application where mutually exclusive- BTW I laughed at the latest article about Mr Beale "The Real Beale" it is entitled; apparently Mr Beale denied that his move to The Rebels was ALL ABOUT THE MONEY . Mmmm me thinks Mr Beale might have framed his denial with a smiirk on his face -and be blessed :-)
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Hahaa probably Mr Burns but I can't imagine that all the scrapes he gets into that the Rebels management have to cover up are just because he is having too much nookie :-)
HardcorePrawn
Guest
I see that, as expected, Danny didn't make the cut for the latest England squad, but according to the Guardian's website Stuart Lancaster said: "I'll watch his development and see how he goes." I reckon if he knows what's good for him (although history says he doesn't!) he'll bide his time this year, and attempt to do his best for the Rebels in the hope of securing a big-money move back home once his contract expires; then, if Lancaster is still in the England role, he may yet get his chance in a white shirt again.
Mr Burns
Guest
Matthew Skellett, I think you'll find that Cipriani concentrates on something else just past his navel.
peterlala
Guest
Great summation of the facts HP. Gold, Eric. Still, good luck to Cipriani. And the Rebels.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Mr Cipriani can't concentrate on anything deeper than his own navel for any stretch of time bar the first 10 seconds. The fact that he is said to utter these 'motherhood' utterances just makes it so much more of a joke as to why the Rebels fell over themselves getting his signature in the first place and be blessed :-)
HardcorePrawn
Guest
I'm with Eric, Cipriani's tackling does leave a lot to be desired. I've said on a previous thread that "when faced with a rampaging opposition player bearing down upon him, he reminded me of a few of the lads I was at school with, the ones that were coerced into playing rugby because the football (soccer) team had been over-subscribed. They would all utilise the same move in that situation: stepping slightly to one side of the attacking player’s run, positioning themselves low, then flapping their arms into the other bloke’s shins to show that they were making an effort to tackle, but didn’t fancy getting a boot into their face for their troubles." Until he gets the defensive part of his game sorted I don't think he'll be a priority pick for England unless they're playing weaker opposition, which, given that Wales, Ireland, and France had such a good World Cup, with Scotland impressing at times in NZ too, and the Italians beating France in last year's 6N, this tournament is unlikely to be the one to feature his return from the international wilderness. It would be a shame as his kicking is exemplary, but at a time when England are rebuilding he would probably be a luxury that they cannot afford. Additionally, as he's now based so far from Europe, I'd also be concerned if I were him that if he did get the nod from Lancaster, might he still have a place in the Rebels squad on his return. He'd have to ensure that, if selected for England, he played out of his skin in the 6N in the hope that he'd prove himself worthy of returning to the Rebels line-up after missing the start of the season, or at the very least to get himself into the shop window and noticed by the big boys of Europe. If he has a bad 6N then he may find himself sitting on the sidelines in Melbourne whilst James O'Connor makes the goal-kicking role his own.
Kerry Packer
Guest
News is slow during Christmas and New Year break. Any other beat-ups?? Get a serious career son and learn to tackle.
Bakkies
Guest
He hasn't played a proper game of rugby since June that's a long time for any player who is fit to be out of the game. Sure he played in the Barbarians game but like most of their players that day he didn't show up. Was very rusty and his next proper game is not till February plus Lancaster is not guaranteed the job after the 6 Nations
johnny-boy
Guest
Classic Eric. Cipriani is a joke.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
Lancaster has already said he is open to considering everyone. However, he later pointed out that, while he is playing in Australia, it's difficult to include Cipriani in his thinking.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
hHe needs to put in more consistent performances before he can be considered a serious chance for England duties.
Eric
Guest
Well, if only talk could tackle.......