Comments on: Danny Cipriani: stick or twist?

By: Blub

Blub — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:53:56 +0000

I understand the logic behind going with Burns. he is familiar with England’s systems and to be perfectly honest, all of the training/practising in the world won’t determine whether Cipriani can work with these systems in the cauldron of a New Zealand test match.

However, having seen Burns play a few times this season (including for the Saxons), I would be concerned for his confidence if things do not start well for England (as would be reasonable to expect). Again – this is something that cannot really be measured on the training field.

It seems to me that Cipriani has added a certain clarity of thinking to his game this season, and as well as Sale have played, they have not always provided him with a dominating platform to work with.

So, from outside of their camp it appears to be a straight punt between Cipriani’s ability to play to England’s systems, and Burn’s ability to retain his composure in what will be (for both) a very difficult and pressurised environment.

I would be more comfortable with Cipriani.

By: Dr Boo

Dr Boo — Tue, 27 May 2014 19:34:25 +0000

I knew Cipriani would be ahead in this poll. Please god no Twelvetrees at 10, he’s not a international fly half, let him do what he does best which is at 12.

The one thing that bothers me is if Burns starts then is he going to be the goal kicker or make Twelvetrees do the kicking. Frankly i feel that if burns begins missing he is going to self destruct like George ford did, but if we make Twelvetrees do the kicking that is going to put a lot of pressure on Twelvetrees. The same is also said to Cipriani.

By: R120

R120 — Tue, 27 May 2014 19:07:15 +0000

Care
Cipriani
Yarde
12T/Eastmond
Tuilagi
Ashton
Brown

Nothing wrong with that back line

By: Benjit

Benjit — Tue, 27 May 2014 18:21:27 +0000

If being in and around the squad for 2 years us so critical why was Ford was picked ahead of Burns in the 6n?

I’m all for consistency but Lancaster can be extremely stubborn sometimes to the detriment of the team. The 2013 6n and AIs being a case in point.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Tue, 27 May 2014 16:22:23 +0000

Cipriani for me. He has a massive point to prove, and has played in NZ before (albeit for the Rebels), and it is pretty much his last shot at an International career.

I don’t want to believe that any pro player would not want to start any game, No matter how likely a thrashing is!

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2014 15:37:36 +0000

Burns had an abomination of a performance for the Saxons, so whilst the damage to his confidence has clearly been done at club level sticking him in a white shirt wasn’t the answer to getting it back.

By: ToMac

ToMac — Tue, 27 May 2014 15:26:22 +0000

suggesting that Cipriani does not understand Lancaster’s goals? any reasoning behind that claim?

By: Chuckles

Chuckles — Tue, 27 May 2014 15:15:01 +0000

Burns, he’s been in the setup far longer and understands Lancaster’s goals much more clearly than Cips does. Furthermore I think his domestic form can almost be discounted, A) because it’s clear from players like Morgan and at the other end Ashton and Strettle that premiership form is not the be-all and end-all of a player’s Test level quality, and B) Davies has been such a helmet while in charge of Gloucester that it’s entirely feasible we’ll see a totally different Freddie Burns in an England shirt- as with Ben Morgan.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:40:33 +0000

I hope it’s not Burns, talented kid but a shocking season. Being in the England set up during the 6N didn’t revive his form or confidence (was awful for the Saxons) and I’d fear for him having an implosion if he starts the first test. I wish he wasn’t going to Tigers, it’s a tough sink or swim environment for him next season, somewhere like Wasps looked a better fit.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:34:45 +0000

He’s not training yet, will train on Sat at the earliest, so think this is unlikely.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:32:54 +0000

They are probably fighting it out for the bench spot in the second/third tests, I don’t see it’s an advantage to not start or not play just because we are missing some first choice players.

By: tim smith

tim smith — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:28:10 +0000

There has to be more than a chance that Twelvetrees will start at 10 for the first test.