Cipriani’s last chance to stake a Lions claim
DANNY CIPRIANI has the chance to reignite his international career when he goes head-to-head with Lions No10-elect Johnny Sexton in Dublin in the Champions Cup quarter-finals tomorrow.
The dream scenario for the Wasps stand-off would be a performance so irresistible it would put him on the plane to New Zealand alongside Leinster star Sexton, and he has been mentioned in despatches by Lions coach Warren Gatland.
A more realistic goal would be a return to the England squad for the summer tour to Argentina in the likely absence of Owen Farrell and George Ford.
Cipriani last played for England 18 months ago during Stuart Lancaster’s reign. From a fringe figure in the Lancaster set-up, he has drifted into the wilderness with Eddie Jones in charge.
“I always tried to give him an opportunity but unfortunately the England scenario had Owen and George ahead of him by the time he came back from Australia,” said Lancaster, who is now coach at Leinster. “He’s still a very talented player and someone we very much need to be very aware of.
“He is playing some great rugby at the moment. He has really benefited from the Wasps attacking philosophy and system. I watched them play against Worcester and I watched how they try to manipulate defences to create opportunities.
“With two other ball players in Jimmy Gopperth and Kurtley Beale in the backline, it has freed him up but he is still the guy who pulls the strings. He’s a major weapon for Wasps.”
Cipriani, at his best, is a magician. He has run the most potent attack in England this season, one that has scored 73 tries in the Premiership, adroitly. Yet he turns 30 this year and is at serious risk of going down as an unfulfilled talent on the international stage.
If he does not add to his 14 caps this summer, he is unlikely to do so at all. If the quarter-final is a sizeable match for Wasps, it is a huge one for Cipriani. “I’d like to think his full focus really is doing well for Wasps,” said the club’s director of rugby Dai Young.
“He knows if he does well for Wasps, and Wasps do well, that can help his ambitions both on the big tour, or if he doesn’t get on that, I’m sure he’ll want to get on the England tour.”
The problem for Cipriani is that few opponents outshine the more combative Sexton in big games, as Grand Slamchasing England found to their cost at the Aviva Stadium just a fortnight ago in the Six Nations.
Wasps captain Joe Launchbury has no doubt that the Ireland fly-half is the major obstacle between his side and a semi-final place.
“You look at Johnny Sexton and the influence he has on a team, that doesn’t disappear when he goes back to his club,” said Launchbury.
“You look at the way they set their attack up especially. They try and get his hands on the ball as many times as possible in each
Danny is playing some great rugby
phase of play.” Sexton left the Aviva Stadium in a sling because of the borderline tackling he received from England but after being rested last week, Lancaster reports he is fit to deliver another masterclass tomorrow – and take some more punishment.
“He’s certainly feeling very robust and strong and confident, and he needs to feel that way because he likes to lead the defensive line and he likes to take the ball to the line.
“Inevitably if you’re doing both of those things you’re going to get some bumps and bruises along the way,” said Lancaster. “He hadn’t had a good run of games and to come in and play at the level he did against England was great for him.
“He’s a brilliant player and very coachable. I’ve really enjoyed working for him.”
With Lions selection less than three weeks away, there are plenty of other intriguing head-to-heads in Dublin – Elliot Daly against Garry Ringrose at centre, Launchbury against the giant Devin Toner in the second row, and James Haskell against Sean O’Brien in the ferocious battle race for a back-row place.
But it is the clash of the two No10s that could well decide the match – and much else besides.