The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Jones insists Cipriani’s exclusion is ‘pecking order’
England coach Eddie Jones insists the exclusion of Danny Cipriani from their training squad reflects the player’s place in the fly-half pecking order.
Despite being England’s starting playmaker in their most recent game against South Africa and producing an excellent opening to the season at Gloucester, Jones has omitted Cipriani from the 36-man group that will take part in a three-day training camp in Bristol, starting on Sunday.
Cipriani, 30, was convicted of common assault and resisting arrest and fined a total of £4,000 following an incident outside a nightclub that took place during Gloucester’s pre-season tour to Jersey.
But Jones insists it is form and not that indiscretion that has shaped his thinking, with Owen Farrell and George Ford the two fly-halves called up.
“That’s the case, 100%. We’ve decided just to have two standoffs in the squad for this particular camp because we want them to get a lot of training time,” Jones said.
“At the moment we’ve got Owen and George, who I believe are the first two fly-halves, and then comes Danny.”
“He’s desperate to play for England and that’s great.”
Manu Tuilagi makes his first appearance in an England squad in over a year after overcoming a dreadful succession of injuries.
Serious groin and knee problems have prevented England’s most destructive threequarter from making an international start since 2014, his last appearance coming as a replacement against Wales two years ago.
The 27-year-old has started all three of Leicester’s games this season and capped a fine performance against Newcastle with a try.
Included despite being midway through a seven-week ban for a tip tackle made during Sale’s pre-season victory at Castres, is wing Chris Ashton.
Ashton has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Sharks following his summer recruitment from Toulon.
But Jones will take a look at the rugby league convert before naming his squad for the autumn series on October 18.