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South Africa v England: Danny Cipriani could make first start since 2008 in third Test

By Chris JonesBBC Sport in Cape Town

Last updated on .From the section English Rugbycomments27

England's Danny Cipriani
Danny Cipriani has made 15 appearances for England, with all four of his previous starts coming in 2008
Third Test: South Africa v England
Venue: Newlands Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 June Kick-off: 16:05 BST
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Sport website and mobile app.

Danny Cipriani is in strong contention for his first England start in a decade as head coach Eddie Jones considers naming him at fly-half for Saturday's third Test against South Africa.

Cipriani, 30, has been taking a leading role in training this week as England look to end a run of five Test defeats.

He came off the bench in the 23-12 second-Test loss in Bloemfontein, winning his first cap for three years.

Jones will name his side for the match in Cape Town at 11:45 BST on Thursday.

It is understood the Springbok camp are expecting Cipriani, who is moving from Wasps to Gloucester this summer, to be in the starting XV.

George Ford, who has been the preferred option under Jones and started the first two Tests, will make way if Cipriani is selected.

"Both Danny and George have got great attributes," Jones said on Wednesday. "We're just assessing who is going to be the best player for this weekend."

After making his England debut in the 2008 Six Nations, Cipriani's international career has been a chequered one, with his past nine international appearances all as a replacement.

But his form for Wasps this season earned him a call-up and Jones is happy with his attitude on the tour.

"Danny is back because of his consistency of effort. I've just been impressed by his diligence and his desire to be part of the team," said the Australian head coach.

"He's got fitter. He's understanding that there's a role to play in the team and he can play it."

Elsewhere, England will be forced into changes at loosehead prop and number eight, with Mako Vunipola returning home for the birth of his child and brother Billy out with the fractured arm he suffered in the second Test on Saturday.

Joe Marler and Nathan Hughes are set to start, while Dan Robson could make his debut and partner Cipriani at half-back.

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27 comments

  • Comment posted by Overflowing Calzone, at 11:00 21 Jun 2018

    Everyone seems to have differing opinions on the correct backline, but the problems are up front. Our backs have outplayed SA but we've come second best to their pack. Cips or Ford is irrelevant until we get on upper hand there.

  • Comment posted by Ali Hoare , at 11:40 21 Jun 2018

    Hughes should be dropped for his pointless and stupid yellow card last week. You want them to learn discipline? Drop the worst offenders from the team.

  • Comment posted by anglowelsh, at 11:29 21 Jun 2018

    @4
    ANOTHER '7 style player' at 8?! I 'd love to see a genuine '7 style player' playing at 7. Most sides these days are fielding two 7s in their back rows. England are lumbering on with none!

  • Comment posted by carrotmaster, at 10:43 21 Jun 2018

    About time Cips was brought back in. He's been an outstanding attacking flyhalf for some time and has had a great last two seasons at his club.

  • Comment posted by Gilbert74, at 11:21 21 Jun 2018

    @2 There may be stats to prove me wrong, but Huges just doenst break the gainline anywhere near enough for me. If he is not doing that and not offering much else around the park would England not be better going for a faster Eight or playing another 7 style player at 8 ?

  • Comment posted by User0527717162, at 11:47 21 Jun 2018

    Ford and Farrell should be relegated to cleaning out the bathrooms of the home team. Delighted Cips is getting selected for the first time in over 10 years. If you're looking for a decent number 10, put in your benched No.08 - he cant do much worse !!

  • Comment posted by anglowelsh, at 11:44 21 Jun 2018

    @10
    Judging by EJ's track record, he's more likely to promote Hughes to captain than drop him!

  • Comment posted by Guy, at 11:58 21 Jun 2018

    Can someone explain why Mark Wilson doesn't get a start? A natural leader in the forwards but intelligent to ensure he doesn't make the idiotic choices Hughes does. Is it simply a case of him not playing for one of the 'fashionable clubs'?

  • Comment posted by User0527717162, at 11:51 21 Jun 2018

    Oh boy - here's comes know it all amateur rugby ref Dr. John. For the sake of sustaining my IQ and common sense, I am out of here.

  • Comment posted by Freddy, at 11:47 21 Jun 2018

    I agree on Hughes, tries hard but ineffective, got to give Cippers and Robson a chance! By the way Currie is an out and out 7 and only 19!!!! Get Sinkler on bench and get Williams starting! Plus ad in a new hooker Cowan-Dickie and we stand a chance while giving youth its head!

  • Comment posted by User0087834635, at 11:26 21 Jun 2018

    @4 This. It is up front where we have struggled rather than in the backs (despite some perceptions that Ford/Farrel are weak links). Ford mya get knocked back in the tackle but he does tend to hang on and give time for others to complete it. Farrell has looked decidedly dodgy tackling when he's not rushing up in defence. However, I don't think its a bad thing to give DC and Robson a run.

  • Comment posted by Pete, at 11:49 21 Jun 2018

    DC and DR should start. ED on the wing and JL captain.

  • Comment posted by Redneck, at 11:44 21 Jun 2018

    I don't know how well Cipriani is going to play behind that pack and I doubt he is going to shore up your 10/12 channel either

  • Comment posted by dragonsbreath, at 12:11 21 Jun 2018

    Tough place for Cipriani to re-ignite his international career. He'll surely be tempted to force the game (as will Robson) and do everything himself to make his case to EJ, so hope he overcomes that and concentrates on distributing. A victory for England would settle nerves but will EJ really be heading to the RWC with a 31yr old Cipriani in pole for 10? I guess stranger things have happened.

  • Comment posted by Pedro, at 11:52 21 Jun 2018

    It may well be a dead rubber, but the win is important, if only for morale. Most people are right that there is, yet, no need to press the panic button, but that time will come if there's no improvement. The pack in particular are struggling and a struggling pack gives away penalties. I don't think this England pack has the ability to dominate, so tactics should reflect that.

  • Comment posted by onmiedsun, at 11:37 21 Jun 2018

    Cipriani deserves his chance but we also need to give run outs to the younger fly-halves waiting in the wings, in case of injury and for the benefit of future team development.

  • Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 11:23 21 Jun 2018

    Given England defensive problems, moving Faz to 10 and picking a more physical 12 might have been a better idea (England's backs make their tackles, but are passive), however the real problems are up front.

    Hughes shouldn't be anywhere near the starting XV, never done anything at test level, and at club level he is not the force he was when he first arrived at Wasps.

  • Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 11:46 21 Jun 2018

    @10 Ali Hoare,
    You have to be a bit careful how you define "worst offenders", some penalties are effectively forced. On the other hand, Hughes' yellow card was just brain dead.

    @7anglowelsh, Curry is a genuine openside, however away to South Africa is second only to NZ away in terms of being a tough place to cut your teeth in international rugby.

  • Comment posted by User0307465808, at 11:52 21 Jun 2018

    Won't make a once of difference unless the English pack front up and perform.

  • Comment posted by User0087834635, at 11:52 21 Jun 2018

    @17 Are you ever going to post some actual intelligent, rugby related comments rather than just negative digs at (England) players who you, personally, don't like?

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