Cipriani waits for thumbs up
ENGLAND will decide in the next 48 hours whether to call Danny Cipriani into their squad to face Ireland in their opening Six Nations match after Owen Farrell underwent surgery on his thumb.
England are assessing the likelihood of their captain being fit to train ahead of the fixture after undergoing the procedure on Saturday.
If Farrell is unable to do so, Cipriani is set to be called in from the cold to fly out with the squad to Portugal this week.
The Gloucester stand-off has not featured in the squad since starting the third Test in South Africa last summer.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall believes Farrell could be back in action within seven to 10 days, a recovery period which would give him a chance of featuring against Ireland on February 2.
But if that timeline proves optimistic, then England would promote George
Ford to start at stand-off with Cipriani a likely back-up on the bench.
Ford would be the probable captain in the absence of Farrell with Dylan Hartley absent with a knee problem.
“I’m looking forward to meeting up with the squad – it’s always great going into the England camp and preparing for a big tournament like the Six Nations,” said Ford.
“I’ll be going there and hopefully putting my hand up for selection for the first game,” added Ford, who had five stitches inserted in a gash above his eye after Leicester’s defeat to Ulster on Saturday.
“It’s going to be an almighty Test match in Dublin. You only get one or two opportunities out there to score points and it’s vital you take them if you want to get a result. Hopefully we can do that.
“Ireland are a brilliant team, especially at home. Over the last 12 to 18 months the way they’ve played and their results speak for themselves.
“What a challenge it is first game up; away from home in Ireland. If you win the first game, you’re off. Lose it and you’re deflated.”
Maro Itoje, an alternative candidate to captain the side, insists England are equipped to fill the leadership void. “I’m not too sure what both those guys’ injury status is but we’re building a leadership density within the squad,” said Itoje.
“We have a lot more players taking responsibility and even when those guys are there it’s never fully on them. We have a group of players who look to lead. No man is an island.
“We’re going to need to step up but there will be a few of us. It won’t just be on me, there will be others who do that work and make sure we keep on going in the direction we want to go.”
England suffered further scares yesterday when Brad Shields pulled out of Wasps’ game against Leinster with a hip problem and Joe Launchbury went off with a head knock. But Wasps director of rugby Dai Young played down the extent of both injuries afterwards.
Scotland have worries over Jonny Gray and Ryan Wilson, who both went off with shoulder injuries at the weekend.