These Wasps are better than ever
EXCLUSIVE: returning fly-half tells Neale Harvey new Wasps can top past glories
“I think the talent pool is greater and the players are better but we’re building experience”
Danny Cipriani has sounded a battle cry ahead of his side’s trip to Toulouse by declaring the current Wasps squad can be better than the ultra-successful outfit which achieved Premiership and Heineken Cup glory under Lawrence Dallaglio’s captaincy.
Cipriani was a 19-year-old with the world at his feet when he lined up at full-back as Dallaglio’s side clinched their second Heineken Cup triumph of the Noughties against Leicester in 2007.
Nine years on, arguably the most gifted fly-half in Premiership rugby is eyeing another European gong, having returned to his boyhood club over the summer after a productive spell at Sale, which he admits changed his outlook on how he plays the game. Cipriani, 28, told The Rugby
Paper: “I’m enjoying it back at Wasps. It’s a very different place but I’m relishing the challenge of trying to get some success back at the club.
“It’s a rebirth and it’s something completely brand new. In 2007, there were more older, experienced players, whereas now I think the talent pool is greater and the players are better but we’re just building that experience of playing in big games.
“That’s coming and with time and the playing staff that are here, on paper I’d say it’s probably a better squad than we had at the club nine years ago.”
He added: “It’s a long time since we achieved European Cup success so it would be fitting if we could reach another final. It’s something the whole club wants and there’s a big desire of winning, but it’s a long road and we can’t underestimate anyone in our pool.
“It’ll be exciting to go to Toulouse next week and play against one of European rugby’s powerhouses. We’ve had a few knocks in different position and it was disappointing to lose to Saracens – but we’re adapting and as a squad these are the sort of challenges we’re really looking forward to.
“Toulouse offers us a good chance to grow mentally, and physically and tactically we’re going to have to be right on our game to get a positive result.”
An older, wiser Cipriani has been on top of his game this season.
He acknowledges the value of his three-and-a-half year stint at Steve Diamond’s Sale, explaining: “I’ve rounded off different parts of my game over the last couple of years, through necessity really, and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of doing so.
“Game-management and when and how to kick is something I learned a lot at Sale and it’s become one of my strengths. I gained a far bigger appreciation of how to win games when you’re on the back foot which is standing me in good stead now.
“Dan Braid has a very smart rugby brain and I talked to him a lot up there, while in my last year there Paul Deacon was very good. He’s one of the best analytical coaches I’ve known in terms of breaking teams down and I’ve taken that into Wasps now.”
Sadly for Cipriani – and to the chagrin of his many admirers – the fly-half has been unable to fight his way back into an England squad, with boss Eddie Jones claiming he does not want the one-time maverick in as a third or fourth choice.
If Cipriani feels hurt following the latest snub, which saw Alex Lozowski promoted ahead of him to join Owen Farrell and George Ford in the 45-man autumn squad, he does well to hide it.
“Eddie’s won nine from nine so he’s in a position where he knows exactly what he’s doing, so you’ve just got to keep working hard for your club and put your hand up,” he said.
“That’s the message he’s sent to every single player, whether you’re in the squad or not, and he sets his standards high so it’s up to you to try and meet them.
“What he said about me being No.3 or No.4 is the coach’s opinion and it doesn’t matter where it sits with me, I’ve just got to go out there and try to be No.1.
“I’ve enjoyed my start with Wasps and everything I do is for the team to make sure we’re in the best position to win. If we prosper, other things will follow.”