IRB Rugby World Cup
Danny Cipriani's versatility might just work in his and England's favour
Tom Hamilton
August 24, 2015
© David Rogers/Getty Images

PARIS, France -- The case of Danny Cipriani is a curious one.

In the 20 minutes he played against France, he gave England's backs new direction in straightening their attack. In the final throes of the match in Paris he was popping up everywhere firing his bullet passes left, right and centre and scored one of their two tries.

He was voted the fans' Man of the Match on England Rugby's twitter feed. He played the role of an impact substitute perfectly. But there are still no guarantees he will make England's Rugby World Cup squad.

Far from it. For so long in English rugby he was a polarising figure, the lost rebel. His raw talent was never in doubt but in the early to middle stages of his career his off-field life was making more headlines than his performances on the field.

He seemed to lose his way at the Melbourne Rebels but now under the guidance of Jonny Wilkinson's mentor Steve Black and with a revised outlook on the game, he is resembling the player he once promised to be.

The exact make-up of England's final 31-man squad is likely to see four of those spots filled by two fullbacks and two fly halves. Cipriani's recent England endeavours have been in the No.15 shirt where his traditional home has been at No.10. It has hardly been a straightforward audition but he has played the hybrid well.

Versatility is the buzzword when it comes to honing in on the final 31 and but for a late volte face, Cipriani, Alex Goode, Mike Brown, Owen Farrell and George Ford seem to be fighting for four spots. The player himself now faces an anxious wait with Lancaster set to name the final squad towards the end of the week.

Cipriani seems as happy as he has been for a while in his own skin and knows he could have done little more to showcase his claims for a spot in the 31-man party.

"I have had positive messages all throughout the training camp," Cipriani said post-match in Paris. 

© David Rogers/Getty Images

"I have had positive reviews back to [Sale Sharks coach] Steve Diamond. I just had to do everything I could, take every opportunity I had on the field and that is all I can do. We have to make sure as a team we are moving forward and hopefully the best 31 get picked."

The end point is an interesting one. Rarely are the best 31 individuals the ones who go to the World Cup given the numerical constraints facing Lancaster when it comes to picking the best, most flexible squad for the tournament.

"I showed I was disciplined enough to go on the field and work with the team and try and organise as best I can," Cipriani said. "I am not going to say if it has bettered my case or not because we ended up losing the game."

But Cipriani's flexibility at flitting between the fly-half and fullback spot will work in his favour. "He is talented enough to play in any position," was England assistant coach Mike Catt's take on Friday.

Now comes a week where England will train on Tuesday and Thursday with it being as close to full contact as possible without being negligent. If he does make the final 31, it would be a triumph for the unpredictability of the maverick and for his willingness to fit in wherever required.

"It [Cipriani's mindset] is the same as it was when we started eight weeks ago. You are on your toes. There are people who will be first choice and people who will be on the periphery. I would be one of those players.

"Every single time I've trained I've had to make sure I've put my hand up. That is what I consistently say I have done. Steve Diamond has had those messages back at Sale and it is for me to keep doing that in training. Selection is out of my control. I have to make sure I influence it in the way I behave and the way I train."

France deserved win: Lancaster
© Tom Hamilton

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.