Edwards backing Cipriani to prove doubters wrong

Chris Jones
29 Jul 2009

Shaun Edwards today branded Danny Cipriani's critics "misguided" and "ridiculous" as he predicted the out-of-favour England fly-half would make a dramatic impact this season.

The London Wasps No10 was dropped by England team manager Martin Johnson after heavy defeats in the November Tests and was this month named as part of the second-string Saxons squad for the coming campaign.

Cipriani's critics claim his high-profile relationship with actress Kelly Brook has affected his rugby but Edwards dismisses the idea.

The Wasps head coach said: "Just because Danny walks out somewhere and has his photograph taken, doesn't mean he isn't up at 7.30am the next day training.

"It's quite ridiculous really and people's perceptions about someone who they don't even know are sometimes misguided."

Cipriani has returned to full training with Wasps after this month having a metal plate and screws taken out of the ankle he broke in May 2008.

That horrific injury forced Cipriani to miss last year's Guinness Premiership Final victory over Leicester but Edwards says the No10 is "fired-up" to make up for that this term.

"Danny is a gifted player who I am glad to be coaching because he is going to have a big season for Wasps," said Edwards.

"He had some brilliant games at the end of last season and he is a very determined young lad who will get back his best form as long he continues to dedicate himself to the game - which he always does.

"I know he is fired up for a big season at Wasps and having missed out on the final in 2008, he is pretty determined to be involved in big games this year. Not being in the Heineken Cup means we don't have any excuses for not focusing on the Premiership."

Edwards says the 21-year-old has stepped up his defensive work but insists that aspect of his game can still be improved.

"All No10s have to front up in defence these days, not just Danny, because they get targeted as the main man," he said.

"Danny started to win turnovers at the end of last season and that is even more important under the new laws."

Wasps have a new management set-up following the departure of Ian McGeechan, who has been replaced by Tony Hanks as director of rugby, while former England prop Trevor Woodman is now in charge of the forwards.

The new team are working all week with the players - minus Lions forwards Phil Vickery, Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw - at their training base in Spala, central Poland where twice daily tough sessions are broken up by four-minute periods in the super-cold cryotherapy chamber which aids muscle recovery.

Edwards insists his men will not repeat the slow start which ultimately ruined their chances of making the Premiership play-offs and saw them miss out on Heineken Cup qualification.

"We only got six points from the first five Premiership games and we don't want that to happen this time," he said.

Edwards hopes to use his experience from being Lions defence coach in South Africa to help Wasps this season.

He said: "It was the experience of a lifetime and I just hope I am coaching well enough to be considered for the next one in four years' time.

"I learned a lot about the break down under the new rules and from the technique of Heinrich Brussow, of the Cheetahs, in particular and I have brought that back to Wasps with me and we have been working on it."