Danny Cipriani has stoked the flames ahead of this weekend’s titanic game between England and Australia, by claiming that not one of the Wallaby players would make it into the current England line-up.
In his column on the Paddy Power blog, Cipriani wrote: “England’s players know what they can do, and they only just touched the tip of the iceberg against Wales. They didn’t quite put the nail in the coffin, but if it all clicks together on Saturday, Australia won’t have an answer.
“Not one Australian would get into that England team right now. The Aussies will be fired up, but when it comes down to it, head-to-head England are too strong. England’s defensive structure combined with the attacking weapons they have at their disposal make it hard to see past an England win.”
Given the criticism that England have come in for since the loss to Wales, it is some statement from the man who didn’t make it into the World Cup squad himself. Cipriani also weighed in on the Wales game, insisting that England and skipper Chris Robshaw made the right decision.
“If England had kicked for the corner against Wales at Twickenham and got a try, Chris Robshaw would be called ‘inspirational’ on all the back pages. If England had kicked it over and taken a draw, no doubt people would have criticised them for not going to the corner. Everyone can sit back at home and make a judgement after the event. That’s easy. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“Robshaw went with his gut, he trusted his instinct and it almost paid off. The decision was challenging, brave and it has to be admired. It was a good decision, despite the three point defeat.”
Cipriani also posited on Gordon D’Arcy’s comments this week, in which the ex-Ireland centre claimed that the selection of Sam Burgess in the midfield against Wales was a grave mistake that could cost England their World Cup campaign.
“Everyone has a role to play in this World Cup – whether it’s the media or former professionals not directly involved in the competition. Gordon D’Arcy is never going to give a positive quote on England, and it’s never going to be a fair reflection. What he was quoted in the papers as saying isn’t accurate, Sam Burgess wasn’t embarrassing at all in the Wales game. He did a great job at 12 with all the pressure that was put on him. He’ll be disappointed to be dropped this week against Australia, but he’ll bounce back.
“It’s great that D’Arcy is adding fuel to the fire and sparking debate, but you can’t seriously believe that that is what he truly believes? Don’t read into what D’Arcy said, Burgess had a very good game.”
What do you think of Cipriani’s comments? How many Australia players do you think would make it into the current England team?
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
I assumed he meant it factually, as in they’re not English qualified? I mean, surely the cruelly ignored high lord genius of English back play wouldn’t compare Robshaw to Hooper/Pocock and see the great 3-pts-dodger as the better man, would he?
Would certainly take Robshaw over Hooper – he’s outplayed Hooper 2 out of the 3 times he’s come up against him
Pocock? Well, I might just about take him over Robshaw.
I’m sure I could also find a spot for Folau, Stephen Moore and Matt Giteau
““Everyone has a role to play in this World Cup – whether it’s the media or former professionals not directly involved in the competition. Gordon D’Arcy is never going to give a positive quote on England, and it’s never going to be a fair reflection.”
Hang about – I think Danny is being deliciously clever here. He is admitting that all of this rubbish is just his way of being part of the England campaign to win the world cup. Poor deluded soul. Bless.
None of the Rugby Championship winning team would make a England team that have won what exactly?! Funny thing too, the irony here for Cipriani that if he were Australian, Cheiks would have the balls to pick him in his squad!
Admirable loyalty Danny, but we’d have Pocock, Giteau and Folou in a heartbeat!
I’d also back him up on the D’Arcy diatribe. It was a) incorrect analysis and b) a pretty unprofessional and disrespectful way to talk about a fellow pro. Burgess made mistakes, but his decoy run actually made the try and he kept Doc Roberts quiet. Brad at 13 was the awful decision as was moving Farrell to 12 when he was playing well at 10.
Come and see Danny live in stage at the next comedy gig at the Apollo!
Oh dear, Danny. Can only assume Pocock and Hooper are cracking up at this.
Marler, Moore, Cole, Launchbury, Douglas, Wood, Hooper, Pocock, Youngs, Farrell, Watson, Giteau, JJ, AAC, Folau.
Cheated a little by playing both right wingers; but I think they are both better than Horne and May.
I’ve found myself with an 8/7 split in favour of England, but it fills me with no more confidence that we’ll get a result on Saturday.
Keep Brown, play Folau on wing instead of Watson. Not Douglas either – would take any of the England locks over him
Like the Brown/Folau idea! I actually originally had Parling but I like Douglas so changed it at the last second.
Everyone has a role to play in this World Cup – whether it’s the media or former professionals not directly involved in the competition. Danny Cipriani is never going to give a negative quote on England, and it’s never going to be a fair reflection.
oops – no need for the word “former” there!
Exactly my thoughts. “you can’t seriously believe that’s what he truly believes?” Are you talking about Darcy or yourself Danny?
He’s right about D’Arcy and the papers reaction to the decision whichever option he went for but wrong about the Aussies, I’d take Moore, Pocock, Hooper, Giteau, Folau, and it’s a tossup based on what style of play you go for with Kuridrani against Joseph. I’d also take Ashley-Cooper for the bench because he offers so many options.
SL: Sorry Danny there’s no place for you in the final squad. I’ve come to see you today to explain my selection. I know you’re tackling, rucking and kick chase has come on a long way, but I’m deducting 2 credits for those tats. Alex Goode has taken the spot, his credit balance was 9 lower than yours, but he’s told me he wants the shirt more than you. This scored him 10 credits so he just gets it.
DC (Internalises): Alex “Fricking” Goode! WTF! Are you serious?
DC: Thank you for the opportunity. It’s be a great experience to work with such a pool of fantastic coaches. It’s been such a privilege to work with you, not only have you made me a better player but a better person as well. What can I do to stay in your thoughts?
SL: It’s important to take this set back positively. Show your support for the team at every opportunity. Say only good things about me and the team and you may get your chance …..
…. so we have articles like this
Nail on the head there Matt…
Still, the fact that he’s toeing the party line (to absurdity) at least shows he’s desperate to play I suppose…
Matt – brilliant!! I just wish that were an imaginative piece of fiction and not an accurate record of an overheard conversation.
Crawl as low as you like Danny but let’s face it Lancaster is never going to let you in the team.
Reading the full interview … he’s also said “it is difficult to see beyond a home win”. Now he’s really lost it. Even the most one eyed English fan surely doesn’t see Sat as a case of it being hard to see how Eng can lose it?
I can’t think of one that would get in the oz team , they will beat England by 15 and Wales by 20+ imo , Biggar and Alun wyn might make the ozzy squad, …..sorry, thought a long time about this and still cant think of any English who would make it into the oz the team .
England have a good chance at this. They’ve won 4 of the last 5, and this is simply a must win game which can be a great motivator. (I admit it can be argued that the Aussies weren’t as good as they have been of late)
However, the only real area where I see England stronger than the Aussies on paper is at 9 and 10. The Aussie boys named, aren’t that great.
….and the oz 10 was MOM ! , BRILLIIANT DISPLAY …OOOOOPS !
I wonder if he realises the Irony of his comments here. If Cipriani had been an Australian, their selection process would be more likely to recognise his unique abilities and he’d probably walk into the national squad, if not a starting place. As it is, he can’t get anywhere near the England team.
Cipriani’s sarcastically trolling Lancaster, surely?
Good shout, maybe what hes trying to say is Lancaster would never select any of the Aussies because they are all too naturally talented
Absolutely, Lancaster wouldn’t select them as he is a clueless clown. However I do hope england get the win today.
Oh dear – let’s give the Aussies extra motivation, not mentioning the fact that he’s just plain wrong. I would say about even split of a joint team, although I haven’t seen as much of the aussies recently so might be underestimating them. We’ll see tomorrow.
This is the man dropped England several times, I’m sorry but Adam Ashley Cooper has a better strike rate than England’s wingers
(AB FAN)
Wing is an interesting one. Not saying AAC wouldn’t make a combined team but May and Watson are the strike runners that England haven’t had for some time (barring Ashton before mistimed autobiography) and are both on the up.
He hasn’t been hit by another bus has he?
Like your thinking Stroudos. How devious would that be if it were true.
Got anymore pearls of wisdom for us Cips? Brilliant player,crap analyst.
I think you’ll find they virtually all would. A case of Cipriani being diplomatic so he can get back into the England team in January or before!
Comment to be ignored!
On a serious front he should have ALWAYS been in the match day team. To have ignored so many talented players is tantamount to sporting suicide. Witness last night.
Said it countless times before, despite the nay-Sayers, that Armitage should also have been chosen.Clive Woodward himself said so in The Times or Mail (can’t remember which) months before the WC (happy to flag up which edition it was)!
Players who should never have been ignored for quasi moralistic/fear of rule breaking reasons flying in the face of the many may-Sayers on this blog who stick to the club v country routine (possibly with their own anti-English agenda) If Woodward himself said it (I repeat about 4-5 months ago) which I have to say pleasantly confirmed my own rugby instincts:
Armitage: (best player in French league 2015)
Hartley : (served his time and that should have been that)
Tuilagi: England can’t do without him (remember 2012 – he could have played were it not for Bomber’s (is that a name for for a coach – I don’t think so – Clive Woodward would be turning in his sleep were he called it) insistence on following some quasi messianic code of conduct. Cheika didn’t bother; he just chose the best wherever they happened to ply their trade.
Cipriani: The most gifted and attack minded fly-half England have!
The WC won’t be wasted if the lessons can be learnt. Watch this space. A blessing in disguise !
Oh dear me the arrogance of this man that reflects the arrogance of the England rugby circle.
He is of course right….no Aussie would make the team that played at home last night.
What a wonderful 7 days……clearly Carlsberg has done RWC 2015 for Welsh rugby fans.
………….Even if we don’t go further than the 1/4s
What now for the ITV adverts???????
Make them pygmies?????
We are at home and we always back ourselves at home…(to lose I assume)
Give blood…bleed for England…..bleeding England more like??????
As an NHS platelet donor of over 10 years who is also on the bone marrow list (for any match with any person in the World) I was appalled at the English bias of that advert.