Bath’s Cipriani still waiting for the green light

DANNY Cipriani’s home debut for Bath Rugby this weekend remains dependant on his response to tests after a blow to the head at the weekend, writes John Evely.

Fly-half Cipriani, 33, was replaced by 20-year-old Orlando Bailey in the 49th minute of Bath’s 20-19 defeat at Sale Sharks on Saturday in the opening round of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership.

Cipriani, making his competitive debut for the club, went off for a head injury assessment following a tackle, inset below, from 6ft 1in, 17 stone powerhouse centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg who was subsequently penalised for an offside offence.

The 16-cap former England playmaker looked like a man increasingly finding his touch after nearly 10 months away from competitive rugby. However, he will play a reduced role in training this week at Farleigh House, Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper confirmed.

Hooper said: “Danny’s on his graduated return to play now (following a failed HIA) and if all that goes well it’ll allow him to play at the weekend.”

At this stage, there is nothing to suggest Cipriani will not be fit to face Newcastle Falcons at The Rec on Saturday in Round 2 of the Premiership. However, should he be sidelined Bath have relatively little cover at fly-half with South African Tian Schoeman sidelined until the new year following surgery on his knee.

Hooper cannot call on makeshift 10s Cameron Redpath and Josh Matavasi who both played at stand-off at points last season. Redpath is out with a long-term knee injury while Fijian international Matavesi was allowed to leave the club last week for Japan.

That leaves Hooper with Bailey who notched up just his ninth Premiership appearance at the weekend. Bailey, who looks increasingly established in the Bath first team, was thrust into the limelight at Sale last weekend as he had a kick to win the game with the last play of the match only to see the 40m effort from near the touchline come up short.

The good news for Bath is England internationals Ruaridh McConnochie and Will Stuart are both closing in on a return. Hooper said:“They’re in that final stage now so they are pretty much back in full training and won’t be too far away.”

Meanwhile, there are no longer any restrictions on Hooper selecting Taulupe Faletau for club duty as the number eight’s mandatory rest following his exploits with the British and Irish Lions is over.