Cipriani snub may cost Ed

IT is unpalatable enough to have an Australian as head coach, a Kiwi as defence coach and another Aussie as attack coach but for the England rugby squad to be without one of its most talented players is unforgivable.

If there is one thing you can usually rely on folk from the other side of the world to detect, it is phoniness.

But nothing sounds as phoney as Eddie Jones defending his decision not to include Danny Cipriani in his plans.

Never mind needing to work on areas of his game, Cipriani – the Premiership’s Player of the Month for September – would be in the squad if it was being selected by any other top-flight coach in this country.

Jones just does not fancy him, simple as that. It looks personal and probably is personal.

And if England, who have won three and lost six of their matches this year, flunk their autumn internationals, it is a decision that should go a long way to getting him the sack.

„ IF you still think the UEFA Nations League is a bad idea, you are one of those people who just will not admit they are wrong whatever the circumstances… or Jurgen Klopp.

THAT his pre-eminence in Formula One is taken for granted means Lewis Hamilton’s fifth world championship will, when it is claimed either in the States this Sunday or at one of the remaining three races after that, be under-acclaimed.

Even allowing for his residence in Monaco, it should not be.