Don’t judge Danny on one game
Ackermann still backs Cipriani for England despite play-off loss, p74
JOHAN Ackermann thinks it would be unfair to judge Danny Cipriani’s World Cup chances on one game.
Gloucester’s defeat in the Premiership semi-final might have been the last opportunity for the fly-half to impress Eddie Jones before he announces his England training squads ahead of the tournament in Japan.
Cipriani was crowned Premiership Rugby Player of the Season last week but has not been involved in recent camps having made his first international start in 10 years during last summer’s tour to South Africa.
“It’s tough if everybody’s going to judge him on one game,” said Gloucester head coach Ackermann.
“If we played better we could have helped him.
“I think by half time we only went once past six phases, that’s not our game. We’re normally quite good to build pressure on teams so how can we put everything onto Danny?
“You have to think if he plays behind a decent international pack he can make a difference
“It’s a tough choice because (Owen) Farrell has shown his class and George Ford has been in among the group for a long time.”
Ackermann feels that Cipriani could make a big impact for England during the World Cup, starting or from the bench.
He said: “It’s how they want to play. Saracens showed that the nines and 10s have to control the game with their boot. I do believe Danny can do it but I don’t think it’s his preference.
“If Farrell is going to be a starting fly half do you go with Ford on the bench that covers more than one position? Or do you go with a Danny that you can put at 10 and push Farrell to 12? I’d like to see that combination.
“Danny can come off the bench and make a huge difference. Eddie has a tough job because he’s got to fit in 31 players.”
Jones watched Gloucester for the ninth time this season at Allianz Park on Saturday.
Ben Morgan and Ollie Thorley, who missed the semi-final through injury, have been involved in squads but have not played under the Australian.
“Games like Saturday doesn’t help if you’re not performing at the utmost level but it’s about what we did over the whole season that they will hopefully look at,” said Ackermann.