That said, Cipriani has bags of talent. At his best, he was a real asset. He
was bright, sharp, inventive and dangerous — qualities that were quickly to
earn him a call-up to England
duty as a 20 year-old in 2008. He has just seven caps to his name, the last
of them four years ago. He wants more.
“Of course I want to play for England, of course the World Cup is a long-term
goal,” said Cipriani, who is due to make his Sale debut in tomorrow’s
friendly against Glasgow. “That’s the same for any player who is not playing
for their country. That’s what they aspire to, that’s what Andy Powell and
Dwayne Peel here want to do with their country, Wales. That’s what I aim to
do.”
Sale chief executive, Steve Diamond, had no qualms about signing him. “Here in
Manchester, the only way to get people through the gate is to play an
exciting brand of rugby and Danny has long been an unbelievable talent with
ball-in-hand,” said Diamond, who has ceded coaching duties to former
Gloucester director of rugby Bryan Redpath.
“I don’t see a problem with Danny. He’s matured, he’s ambitious, as are we,
he’s bought into what we’re doing and he’s not going to stuff that up by
going out to a nightclub before a game. He wants to prove the critics wrong
and he’s got every tool at his disposal here to be able to do just that.”
England head coach Stuart Lancaster met Cipriani at Christmas but there has
been no contact since, no promises made. Indeed, Cipriani does not feature
in either of the 32-man elite player squads. He has it all to prove and he
accepts that.
“Stuart gives hope to everyone,” Cipriani said. “He’ll pick whoever is playing
well.” The Cipriani script promises a few narrative shifts yet.
August 16th, 2012 → 11:02 pm @ carbon
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