Joe certain ‘team man’ Cips will sing for Eddie
WASPS captain Joe Launchbury dismisses any notion that Danny Cipriani is not a ‘team player’ and expects the gifted playmaker to play a pivotal role in devising a strategy for England’s three-match tour of South Africa.
Cipriani has been recalled to national colours for the first time since 2015, forcing the hand of Red Rose head coach Eddie Jones with a series of eyecatching displays during Wasps’ march to the Premiership semi-finals.
The 30-year-old’s maverick attitude has often been questioned, but Launchbury told The Rugby Paper: “Danny came back to Wasps last season and played well, but this year he’s improved again and he cares passionately about rugby.
“You might not always sense that from the way people talk about him in the media but he’s a big thinker about the game and he’s been very good in that regard for us.
“I’m sure he’ll take his opportunity with England – he feels he’s been playing at a high standard for a number of years and he’s been waiting for this.”
Launchbury, right, added: “It’s very hard to be a fly-half in a successful team and not be a team player. I just don’t get that and I’ve seen nothing to suggest Danny won’t be an asset to England in South Africa.
“At Wasps he cares about how he helps set up our team and how we attack. That doesn’t come from an individual point of view, it comes from how he feels he can best suit our attacking structure and he’ll so the same for England.” Launchbury, 27, is the senior lock in England’s 34man squad alongside Maro Itoje (23), Nick Isiekwe (20) and Jonny Hill (23), who has been rewarded for an impressive season at Exeter after slipping through Gloucester’s net. Launchbury, capped 52 times, said: “I’m looking forward to stamping my mark on this trip. South Africa was my first tour with England in 2012 but I only lasted four days before injuring my knee, so hopefully I’ll stay longer. “Statistically it’s a very hard place to go but it’s also a fantastic test for us. As a front-five forward the Springboks will definitely take you on in that area and they’re manly men who enjoy getting stuck into the scrum and maul. “They love the physical side of rugby and to go with that they’ve got extremely skilful players. I don’t know if Willie Le Roux will be involved yet but he’s been fantastic for Wasps this year and represents the calibre they have.
“But off the back of disappointing results at the end of the Six Nations we’ll be itching to get over there and have a good tour. There’s never an international block that isn’t important and we’re desperate to go and win.”
Meanwhile, Wasps take on Saracens this Saturday with Launchbury convinced his side are ready to claim the Premiership title.
He said: “A couple of years ago making the top four was new ground, but this is our third time in a row now so this is a squad of players who have got used to playing in these big games and can use that experience and hurt.
“Saracens have a proud home record and they’re showing what a quality side they are, but they’ll look at our attack and know we are a threat.”