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Brave Danny's ready to meet England challenge
Chris Jones, Evening Standard10 Jan 2008
Ian McGeechan, the London Wasps director of rugby, today dismissed fears Danny Cipriani's history of head injuries would affect his England future. Cipriani's early career was marked by bouts of concussion which forced him to wear a head guard to minimise the danger of further problems that could have had serious implications.
With Cipriani winning a place in the England squad for the Six Nations, which starts against Wales at Twickenham on 2 February, the Wasps outside-half is preparing to face the most physically demanding rugby of his life.
However, McGeechan today made it clear Cipriani's early problems with concussion - which caused him to miss part of the Under-19 World Championships in 2006 - are no longer a factor. "That is not an issue," he said. "Since I arrived at Wasps, Danny hasn't had any problems like that.
"He suffered concussions in his early career but he has since taken part in many big games in the Premiership and Heineken Cup without anything happening. He does not shirk his tackles as anyone who has witnessed his performances in those competitions can confirm. He is brave player."
McGeechan revealed that all of the Wasps players are tested pre-season to provide a base level of readings that can be used to assess how badly they are affected when suffering a concussion.
"Danny is treated the same as any other Wasps squad member and this simply isn't an issue," said McGeehcan, who believes the 20-year-old's experience of playing full-back last season has made him an even better No10. Cipriani is equally confident about his future.
He said: "I am thrilled to have been selected for the England squad. It's an exciting opportunity to be able to learn and gain experience in the international environment and in my case particularly from Jonny Wilkinson, who I trained with before the World Cup.
"I'm looking forward to making the most of the opportunity and stating my case to win my first cap, but first I have to focus on the next two weeks.
"Wasps have two massive Heineken Cup games coming up, against Llanelli and Munster, and we need to ensure we get two good results to qualify for the knockout stages of Europe."
Brian Ashton, the England head coach, considers Cipriani to be an outside-half rather than a utility player and McGeechan said: "Playing full-back helped Danny's game, particularly this season when he has been playing No10. It means he has a good appreciation of what is required from an outside-half and playing in a different position has been a bonus."
But Ashton said: "I see Cipriani as a No10 and I don't want him to become a utility player."
Ashton also has denied Wilkinson will always be his first-choice No10 for England, saying: "The perception that Jonny will always wear the jersey when fit is wrong but experience is a key factor in choosing any Test team."
Meanwhile, Rob Andrew, England's elite rugby director, has responded to Shaun Edwards's decision to become the Wales defence coach on a part-time basis rather than coach the England Saxons by suggesting the two roles may become too much for the London Wasps head coach.
Andrew's comments may be viewed as sour grapes as he made the Saxons offer to Edwards having received agreement from the English clubs to change the rules to allow a part-time appointment.
Andrew said: "It's difficult for someone to have two jobs. I cannot see how you can be in two places at the same time."
Ashton is relishing the challenge of facing a Welsh team that Edwards will be helping and added: "Shaun is an outstanding coach. He will be a massive attribute to any side wherever he goes."
