England rugby star Danny Cipriani’s World Cup hopes were in doubt on Tuesday after news reports that he had been arrested for drink driving following a car crash in London.
The Sale Sharks player, 27, was said to be unhurt after his Mercedes crashed into a Toyota in west London early Monday morning.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at approximately 5.15am on Monday, 1 June to reports of two cars in collision in Imperial Road, SW6.
“The driver of the Mercedes, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
“He was taken to a west London police station where he was later released on police bail. Return date to be confirmed.”
Newspaper reports identified the arrested man as being Cipriani.
The talented fly-half is part of a 50-man preliminary World Cup squad, and looked to have boosted has chances of being called up to the final squad of 31 when it is announced on August 31 after scoring 33 points in an England XV’s 73-12 victory over the Barbarians on Sunday.
Cipriani has often hit the headlines for his off-field activities, having dated models Kelly Brook and Katie Price, and was knocked unconscious after being hit by a bus during a night out with teammates in 2013.
While playing with the Melbourne Rebels he was also in the spotlight for helping himself to a bottle of vodka at a bar while he was also at one stage dumped before a tour to South Africa for disciplinary reasons.
England coach Stuart Lancaster has already lost hooker Dylan Hartley after he received a four-match suspension for headbutting an opponent and centre Manu Tuilagi, who was convicted of shoving two police officers in a fight.
England’s 2011 World Cup was dogged by indiscipline after players were photographed on a night out and three of the team reprimanded for making inappropriate comments to a female hotel worker.
Tuilagi was also formally warned by police after jumping from a ferry in Auckland.
Birdy
Guest
He is (was?) close, Taylorman, but the odds are slightly against. Ford and Farrell are nailed on which leaves Lancaster with the choice of picking a 3rd pure fly-half or a more utility player that can cover more than one position. If just a fly-half he was in competition with Myler but would probably win through. If England want someone in the 3rd fly-half position that can cover other places than Slade, Twelvetrees, Goode would be picked ahead of him. The signs are with a squad of 31 Lancaster wants more flexibility from his 3rd fly-half. Anyway, I'm hoping that Darwin's natural selection system of weeding out the weak and crazy has now been completed. The rest of the squad haven't got Tuilagi's, Hartley's and Cipriani's reputation for being one sandwich short of a picnic, so maybe Lancaster can concentrate on the rugby now,
taylorman
Roar Guru
Woohoo, way to go Birdy...let it all out. On Cips selection, I'd say on that performance he was more likely to make it than not, and given he must be there as a World cup possibility anyway, he's truly stuffed up. Jessie Ryder was in the same position for NZ cricket...given every chance and encouragement, but continued to walk his own plank, then fall off.
Birdy
Guest
Happy to talk rugby wIth you, Billy Bob, if you showed signs that you were actually interested. But, seeing as you just seemed to want the opportunity to stick 'overpaid child' in a post I'm guessing not. Given the '3 amigos'; textgate; and the general petulance and seeming arrogance of a number of the Aussie SR sides and Wallabies I'm hoping you're not an Oz rugby fan giving out about 'overpaid children' or you might get the 'unfortunate steroetype' label of hypocrite. On the substance, if you're interested, which I doubt, there's a debate whether Cipriani is 3rd or 4th rated number 10 in England, with most agreeing that, bar injuries, he was unlikely to make the final 31 anyway.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah appreciate what you're saying and the comments made above. The issue is not just that he can get a lift to the matches. It's one of risk. It's clear he's a serial offender who just doesn't know the triggers that set him off, or learn from his antics. Let's say they let him play, he plays another blinder then goes out again and has a fight and gets injured, or hurts someone else? To place him back in the very environment that sets him off will have huge repercussions, let alone just an issue of having to find another player. But to put it into perspective Gary, did your antics seriously affect your employment or livelihood long term? Did you end up on the cover of the morning papers 'multiple' times because of them? These are not just things you can sweep under the carpet through going through a few days of self pity, remorse then finding some sort of resolve not to do it again next weekend. It would be gross negligence to allow Cips back into the England squad this year with a clear and obviously unresolved problem.
Billy Bob
Guest
Things a bit dull, over your side of town, Birdy? Thought you'd wander out to niggle a few shackle-draggers for a bit of sport? You do know that your offerings regularly offer evidence in support of an unfortunate stereotype, don't you? To get back to the point - the best 10 in England is an overpaid child. And that is a shame for the English back-line.
Taylorman
Guest
Hold that thought, plenty more numbers left...
Taylorman
Guest
So it's your fault Felix? You could have called the cab for cips and gone with the two ladies perhaps? Then everyone would be happy!
MH01
Guest
Competition. :)
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Danny, Danny, Danny, all that hard work for nought, I suppose some guys are not destined for greatness regardless of the effort!!
john
Guest
Indeed
Birdy
Guest
Let's hope the Wallabies can take advantage. I mean, how embarrassing would it be to lose to a side 'with their best centre; best 10 and best hooker all out?'
mania
Guest
woah thats awesome!
AndyS
Guest
At some point you start to wonder whether some of these clowns have a subconscious self-destructive streak...
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Gary, yes we've all done foolish things when we were young. And sometimes later in life too. But this is (a) far from an isolated incident, (b) a guy who must know he is in the public eye, (c) a crucial time in his life when he should be watching every step. And when this guy starts spouting that he has matured and knows better now and then does something like this... total, TOTAL muppet.
Len
Guest
Their best centre, their best 10 and their second best hooker all out.?? .OH MY!! Pommies are in a spot of bother...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I hear your general point Gary, but by the time Cipriani does mature at 30, if he indeed does, that will be too late. Unfortunately sport is littered with talented athletes who never the level of humility and maturity that would make them true elite performers. Cipriani was trouble when he was in Melbourne, a rampant young ego living a playboy lifestyle, at least in his own mind, and unfortunately it seems like nothing has changed. The only thing that can be said in mitigation is that at least it does appear that on this occasion there was no dwarf tossing involved.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Gary, he was arrested for drink driving after crashing his car. He should be in gaol. Not playing rugby for his country.
nmpcart
Guest
Yes, Lancaster dropped Hartley from the WC training squad and replaced him with the guy he headbutted!
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I suppose that all of the commentators that have posted on this event have never made a mistake to drive a car after a few drinks while maybe it would have been wiser it is not an offence that would curtail his rugby ability. I think the bloke is a fool on some of his previous escapades but because he may not be able to drive a car to training doesn't mean that you should drop him from the team. Give him a fine for being a fool, but lets not put him to death by hanging for being a youngish man that makes a fair few mistakes. I personally didn't get any common sense until I was 28 - 29 and even then well after that I was still getting into trouble fighting, drinking, and living my life to the full. Now I'm a respected old fart, married with two kids, that comments on rugby in I like to believe an intelligent fashion. Cipriani is not my idea of a wise young man but he is talented, playing rugby. We all said Cooper would be a waste of space but he eventually turned it around. A lot of young men are late maturers so lets not cut their heads off before they reach thirty
MJB
Guest
What is it about this guy? Remember when he, Kurtley and Quade were all in the same car years ago and they managed to crash it?