Redpath Jnr given call-up by England
Son of Scotland legend named in Jones’ squad
EDDIE JONES has named Cameron Redpath, the son of Scotland legend Bryan, in his England squad for this summer’s tour of South Africa.
Scots head coach Gregor Townsend had spoken earlier this week of the battle for dual-qualified players with England — and this appears to be one fight he has now lost.
Bryan Redpath, who now coaches the Scotland Under-20s, had still held out hope the 18-year-old Sale rookie would follow in his footsteps.
‘He knows what I think and that the broader family would like him to one day play for Scotland — and there has been discussions with Gregor — but at the moment he is enjoying being part of a group of players below the full England squad who they see as coming through,’ said Redpath senior.
‘Cam has a lot of respect for the Scottish mindset and the way the team are trying to play.
‘It has been tough for him at times with a lot of chat flying about, but sometimes I just have to be a dad and not a Scotland supporter.
‘His head has been turned a bit by the whole set-up in England because there are good opportunities down there. Hand on heart though, I’d love to one day see him playing for Scotland.
‘When I was up at the New Zealand game during the autumn Tests, I sent him clips of the atmosphere and told him: “You’d love to be a part of this”. I have a great relationship with him and we will see what the future holds.’
Alas, that hope now looks to have been extinguished — although he remains eligible for Scotland until he receives a full cap.
Jones certainly seems impressed by the youngster, enthusing: ‘He’s one of those born-rugby players, a bit like Owen Farrell and George Ford. I think he could be an Owen-type player for us.’
Alongside a first call-up for Redpath, Jones also brought Danny Cipriani back from international exile yesterday with a stark warning that if he proves to be a ‘bad character’, he won’t last long.
The Australian confirmed his re-think about the 30-year-old Wasps playmaker by rewarding his superb club form with a place in a 34-man squad for next month’s tour.
Cipriani, who last won a cap in August 2015, has been presented with a chance to revive his Test career — providing he makes a good impression.
In the past, Jones has hinted at misgivings about the fly-half’s ability to do just that, but his stance has shifted in the face of overwhelming evidence about Cipriani’s credentials as a game-changer. However, the Australian gave a firm indication of just what he expects in the coming weeks.
‘I’m convinced there is something he can offer because he’s made changes to his game and his character will come through,’ said Jones. ‘If he’s a good character, he could be in the team for a long time. If he’s a bad character, there’s always a plane back from Johannesburg.’
Asked if he was concerned about the notion of ‘baggage’ in relation to Cipriani, he added: ‘It doesn’t worry me. It’s how he behaves in front of me. I can’t control what he’s done in the past. All I can do is control what he does in the future. It’s about how he comes in, how he reacts, how he
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communicates with other players, how he responds to coaching and how he understands the way we want to play and fit into that mould.’
Jones’s decision to pick Kiwi flanker Brad Shields before he has left the Wellington-based Hurricanes to join Wasps has caused a storm in New Zealand.
Jones confirmed that Shields won’t join the squad until they arrive in South Africa, which means he will struggle to force his way into the matchday 23 for the first Test in Johannesburg on June 9.
The head coach described his far-away recruit as ‘a hard-working, gritty player and a great back-up to Chris Robshaw’.
Asked about picking a player not deemed good enough for New Zealand, Jones said: ‘I’m not worried about what the All Blacks do. Steve Hansen is old enough and wise enough to know who he wants to pick and I’m old enough and wise enough to know who I want to pick.
‘I think he can add to the team. My responsibility is to pick England-qualified players. I get a list and I pick the best out of that list. I don’t decide the regulations.’