Bring Cipriani back into the England squad, urges Healey
Austin Healey has called on England to end the test exile of Danny Cipriani after the fly-half was named the Premiership’s player of the month for March.
Austin Healey has called on England to end the test exile of Danny Cipriani after the fly-half was named the Premiership’s player of the month for March.
Cipriani’s form has helped guide unheralded Sale to the brink of the play-offs and led to calls he be included for England’s tour of New Zealand in June.
The 26-year-old was once the rising star of English rugby but won the last of his seven caps back in 2008, a combination of injuries and concerns about his “celebrity” lifestyle off the pitch seeing him sidelined.
[Danny Cipriani] has successfully transformed his game from a reckless talent to an influential and controlling number 10 and now warrants serious consideration for further honours
But a year out from the next year World Cup in England, former Red Rose back Healey said on Wednesday that now was the time for the national team management to bring Cipriani back in from the cold.
“The fortunes and abilities of Danny and Sale seem to have run in tandem over the past 18 months and the comparisons are no coincidence,” said Healey, who won 51 caps between 1997-2003.
“He has successfully transformed his game from a reckless talent to an influential and controlling number 10 and now warrants serious consideration for further honours.
“Danny has always had a maverick inside waiting to break out at any stage, which he still has.