Danny Cipriani: I needed miracle to sway Eddie Jones

Last updated on 12 September 2019.From the section Rugby Union344

Danny Cipriani claims he would have had to "turn water into wine" to convince England coach Eddie Jones to include him in his Rugby World Cup squad.

Fly-half Cipriani, 31, was part of pre-tournament training camps but was dropped before the final 31-man selection was made.

Jones instead opted for Owen Farrell and George Ford as his fly-half options

"Going into a big competition I would've had to turn water into wine to really sway him," said Cipriani.

I'm still England's best full-back despite World Cup omission, says Brown

Despite being named as the Premiership's player of the season for his performances with Gloucester last term, Cipriani has only made two international appearances since Jones took charge at the start of 2016.

Asked if he had a fair chance to press his case for World Cup selection, Cipriani said: "What is a fair crack of the whip? I can't go in there demanding any time.

"Eddie is in a high-pressure situation being England coach and he has done a great job.

"He has put his faith in George Ford and Owen Farrell and they have done well for him.

"I can completely understand why he made his decision. Do I think it was the right decision? I don't know. I am going to support England and hope they do great."

Cipriani made his first England start as a 20-year-old, picked ahead of Jonny Wilkinson in the 33-10 win over Ireland in March 2008.

However, he has made just four more since with personality clashes, moves abroad and off-field problems all limiting his chances.

'It was almost like I'd died'

Former England captain Dylan Hartley says the reaction to his omission from Jones' final squad was as if he had died.

The 33-year-old hooker, who won his 97th and most recent cap against Australia in November, has not played since suffering a knee injury playing for Northampton a month later.

"When the World Cup squad was announced, it was almost like I'd died - friends getting in touch and seeing if I was OK," he said.

"For four years we have talked about winning the World Cup with Eddie, and I have led that group, been a part of that journey, so to fall at the final hurdle... I don't know the feeling.

"I wake up most nights thinking about it. It doesn't sit well with me, but I have come to terms with it. You have to crack on."

Hartley added that he aggravated his left knee injury by trying to rush back to fitness.

"I tried an approach with my knee, a very aggressive approach, because I was given some deadlines to meet, and the aggressive approach did not work," he said.

"I basically ended up in a worse position for trying to come back too early. Ever since that happened, I knew I wasn't going to make the [World Cup] deadline.

"It was around the start of the camps, when they first got together around the start of July. I tried getting back for that and basically put myself in a bit of a hole physically and mentally."

However, Hartley promised that if his team-mates do lift the William Webb Ellis trophy without him, he will gate-crash the celebrations.

"I hope they go and win. I'll get on and be a glory supporter - remember me guys?" he added

"I'll be hanging off the side of the open-top bus, in my 97th appearance shirt."

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344 comments

Comment posted by wcb, at 00:55 12 Sep 2019
I’m a Welshman but love rugby and not anti English before you all start. My wife and kids are swinglowers and I moved to Bristol 11 years ago. One thing that has always amazed me is how the press find ways to not get behind the team. This article is unbelievable. 5 caps since 2008!! Hardly a shock omission. England look a great bet for the World Cup and in a great place. Embrace it. Awful report
Comment posted by Pedro, at 00:29 12 Sep 2019
So, an article about Danny Care, then Mike Brown and now Danny Cipriani. Is it me, or are the hacks at the BBC trying to get quotes from players who might have made the squad dissing Jones and his selection policies? Would make them look good down the line if England stumble. Nah, it's just me. Isn't it?
Comment posted by SwinglowerXV, at 23:52 11 Sep 2019
Is anyone else finding this slew of articles portraying excluded players as forlorn figures a little disheartening. Yes Care, Brown, Cipriani and Hartley can all feel they missed out but surely the focus should be on the squad that has shown purple patches that, should they last for the full 80, would make them a hell of a team to beat.
Comment posted by vern, at 00:52 12 Sep 2019
I have to agree , the beeb seem to be trying to find someone to “ spill the beans” or vent their spleen.

Maybe none of the 31 are doing any talking , maybe it’s budget cuts. It’s a lot cheaper to take an away day to Gloucester, Northampton or London than flights and hotels in japan. Maybe it’s just VERY average reporting , but agree I’m getting a little bored of it.
Comment posted by User0464333620, at 06:22 12 Sep 2019
I don’t understand the bbc slagging off the England team all the time. Most of the articles for Scotland wales and Ireland are all supportive and look at the positives. Yet even when they were winning the grand slam, certain reporters were looking at negatives more than best bits.
Either click bait or general hatred towards the England team
Comment posted by Jack the Biscuit, at 07:10 12 Sep 2019
Another rubbish article from another nameless hack......oh dear BBC where did it all go wrong.
Comment posted by lay_of_the_land_my_son, at 08:01 12 Sep 2019
the only English teams the beeb get behind are the women's teams, a 'news' story about Tracy Neville's pregnancy? at least try to hide your social engineering agenda.
Comment posted by Blott, at 06:03 12 Sep 2019
Cipriani fails to mention his off field activities might lead some coach’s to think he’s a liability, especially on a long tour
Comment posted by Gaz, at 07:04 12 Sep 2019
Danny reminds me of Gavin Henson, a player of immense talent but will never be fulfilled and time works against them.
Comment posted by Segnes , at 00:12 12 Sep 2019
I'm with post 1 (SwinglowerXV), but I find it more than disheartening: I find it utterly pointless. Of course there are disappointments - in respect of every national squad, that is the case. Of course not everybody agrees with every selection - again, no news there. The media preoccupation with particular darlings doesn't make those darlings' disappointment any sadder than any other. Enough now.
Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 09:32 12 Sep 2019
Christ, how many more of these interviews will the BBC be running with players that Eddie Jones didn't select? I mean you've still got Robshaw, Williams, Marchant and Dombrandt to go.

How far will this go down? "I would have loved to have been selected, but Jones never even considered me" an exclusive interview with Theresa May!
Comment posted by DreadKnight, at 05:31 12 Sep 2019
So the BBC cant find negative stories from within the squad, they are looking anywhere else to try and create them. Pathetic really, how about you get behind all the home nations as we head to the WC.
Comment posted by Nick Selby, at 06:44 12 Sep 2019
Very poor journalism if you can even call it that. BBC always seem intent on trying to damage any potential England success by bringing out these types of story. This is chip paper news, try getting behind the national team for once, but of course you won’t as this team might help restore a bit of national pride.
Comment posted by JimmyC, at 07:25 12 Sep 2019
He’d turn water into wine? Unfortunately he is best known for doing the exact opposite, turning wine into water. Less of that, and less trouble with the law, and he might have had a better chance.
Comment posted by sense, at 00:05 12 Sep 2019
Vote up for leave down for remain, lol only joking. A lot of the players that didnt make the 31 have been told to stay fit and ready for a call in case of injuries. That must be even worse. Not picked and unable to relax. Didnt ben teo take himself off of that list immediately after not being selected.
Comment posted by hertsboy, at 08:05 12 Sep 2019
He has a history of falling out with coaches. Over the years he has drifted in and out of games , although he may be better now and defensively he is poor. His tackle count i think I read averages less than half of Ford or Farrell suggesting a low work rate and he is hardly aggressive in the tackle. Plus his goal kicking is poor. You cannot take him.
Comment posted by U172022112003, at 00:02 12 Sep 2019
@1 But that would mean that the BBC would have to be slightly positive about England which would lead to whole swathes of ABE's making the accusations of it being the EBC!
Comment posted by D1679269280660, at 00:11 12 Sep 2019
The BBC love making us all miserable. Barely a feel good story on the site.
Comment posted by fairplay2u, at 10:07 12 Sep 2019
Chipolata (Ex Kelly Brooks name for him) has an annoying sense of entitlement. He insulted then England manager Martin Johnson in front of the squad years ago. Then the night club incident, then the assault on the Jersey policewoman. He cannot defend and his attack is very often questionable. Comes across as not a very nice guy. Not a team player ! Well done Eddie Jones !
Comment posted by Rugby born and bred, at 07:21 12 Sep 2019
His off field antics are well known. But having watched him at Wasps live for years, he simply isn't that good. Makes far too many mistakes and is a woeful defender.

For every huge cut out pass for a try there is an interception.

He also goes missing in games if the going gets tough.

No loss.