'He is different' - Dallaglio challenges Jones' perception of Cipriani and where exactly he should play

Lawrence Dallaglio has challenged Eddie Jones to ignore Danny Cipriani’s controversial past and form his own opinion about one of the most gifted players of his generation who has been brought back into England fold after a three year exile.

Cipriani will be battling it out with Leicester’s George Ford for the England No10 jersey for the three test series with South Africa next month and knows his reputation has preceded him. Off-the-field issues, including a drink driving conviction in 2016, have dogged Cipriani throughout a career that has brought him just 14 caps. Cipriani joined Melbourne Rebels in 2010 to try and get a fresh start before returning to play for Sale in 2012 and then re-joined Wasps. He is leaving in the summer with a new club yet to be revealed, although Bath are thought to be favourites.

Jones named 30-year-old Cipriani in the England squad yesterday and added the kind of caveat that suggests he is not totally convinced the Wasps player can play by all of his rules. Jones said : “I am convinced there is something he (Danny) can offer because he’s made changes to his game, and his character will come through. If he’s a good character he could be in the team for a long time. If he’s a bad character, there’s always a plane back from Johannesburg.”

It is that kind of comment that makes World Cup winner Dallaglio believe Jones has been listening to Cipriani’s detractors rather than those who are prepared to give the player room to express his natural rugby talent.

Dallaglio, who captained Cipriani during his first spell at Wasps, said: “Danny hasn’t had a chance under Eddie Jones. Maybe up to now, Eddie has formed his opinion on Danny based on what people have been telling him rather than finding out himself. Now Eddie has the chance to work with him one on one and see Danny in a squad environment and that is all you can ask as a player.

“Danny knows there is a culture and a way England players behave on and off the field and I am sure he will buy into that and it is about celebrating difference. At Wasps we were very comfortable with people expressing their personality on the field and that is what Danny does because he is different.

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“It is pretty clear that Owen Farrell has been picked as an out and out No12 although he can pay No10 and it will be wonderful to see the Cipriani/Farrell combination working for England. There is also the opportunity to pick Danny at fullback where he collected a Heineken Cup winners medal with Wasps in 2007.

“What Eddie says in public and in private are probably two different things and I am sure he has been in conversation with Danny. He has been picked on merit because he is one of the best players in the Premiership.

“He thoroughly deserves his opportunity and he can do things no other flyhalf even tries. Clearly that is something Eddie Jones has decided to bring into the squad and England are taking a new attacking coach to South Africa because since Jonathan Joseph scored two tries against Scotland a couple of years ago, England haven’t offered a huge amount in attack. They have looked a bit predictable and need to shake things up and the inclusion of Danny is very welcome.”

Jones pinpointed “selfishness” and “complacency” as two reasons for England’s failure to defend their Six Nations title which led to a second from bottom finish and three successive defeats. Dallaglio agrees that the players have to accept responsibility for their actions and added: “We all have to accept when things are not going well everyone has to look in the mirror and take some responsibility themselves rather than passing the buck.

“Besides taking credit for success you have to share the blame for failure and there is still work to be done in terms of the leadership group and that is one of the reasons why Brad Shields (Hurricanes) has been fast-tracked into the squad.

“I am delighted for Jack Willis (Wasps) and deserves his selection on form and I remember my own selection for England to tour in South Africa in 1994 and it is a great place to start your international career. It is a really exciting squad and it needed a fresh injection and some innovation attacking wise, plus more pace.”