Eddie Jones has defended his controversial decision to axe Danny Cipriani from the England squad on Thursday on the basis the fly-half has been overhyped as “Superman” by armchair critics who have been seduced by his showreels.
Cipriani’s shock omission casts into doubt his World Cup chances precisely 12 months before the tournament begins and comes after his arrest in Jersey last month, but Jones was adamant he made the call on form, having been in the stands for all three of the fly-half’s matches for Gloucester this season.
Jones has recalled Manu Tuilagi and selected the suspended Chris Ashton but it is Cipriani’s snub that resonates as arguably the most contentious call of his tenure, considering the No 10’s key intervention in England’s most recent match, teeing up the decisive try in South Africa to end a run of five straight Test defeats.
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Brian O’Driscoll was among a number of pundits to question Jones’s motives, writing on Twitter: “This call beggars belief if you’re to believe it’s ‘based on form’” with Cipriani’s performances for Gloucester earning rave reviews. But Jones believes that while Cipriani has garnered attention for stunning passes against Northampton and Bath, he has not contributed as much as George Ford across 80 minutes. Jones rates Cipriani as England’s “third or fourth choice” fly-half.
“I go and watch three club games a week and being at the game, some of the quality of his [George Ford’s] play is absolutely outstanding,” said Jones, who also attended Leicester’s defeat by Wasps last weekend. “But, it’s like he’s an invisible man. Whereas one other player throws one pass and he’s Superman. [George] has got back to being what he’s good at and that’s taking the ball square and flat, attacking the line, looking for opportunities.”
Asked if he pays attention to external opinions, Jones added: “There are selectors and there are commentators. I can’t wait to be a commentator. I take selection seriously. I want to make sure I’m selecting the best players. What you do off the ball is massively influential in the game and you don’t see that on television.”
Cipriani’s inclusion on the tour of South Africa was the first time Jones had selected him – a reward for his consistent form with Wasps – but while he was included in an August training camp before his convictions for common assault and resisting arrest in Jersey, he again finds himself behind Ford and Owen Farrell, who has played only twice at fly-half under Jones.
“Ten is a very influential position. He’s the bus driver of the side and he’s the conductor of the side,” Jones said. “If Danny is a better player than Owen and George, he can certainly promote himself ahead of them. From what I’ve seen at the moment, he is not, in terms of the whole context of the team.”
Jones does not name his squad for the autumn internationals until 18 October, giving Cipriani, as well as other notable absentees such as Sam Simmonds, Sam Underhill, Dan Cole and James Haskell, the chance to push for a recall for the November Tests. “There are three club games for players to promote themselves or demote themselves.” Jones added that Cipriani still has “a great chance” of making the World Cup but also said his off-field misdemeanours may count against him when he comes to select that squad. “For a tournament, when you are in camp for a long period of time, players who have history in not being able to show self-discipline – certainly that is something you look at.”
Tuilagi has been called up by Jones for the first time since he was sent home in disgrace from last August’s camp following a late-night drinking session. He has played for England only once under Jones – appearing off the bench against Wales during the 2016 Six Nations – and last started a Test match in the summer of 2014. His injury troubles have been well-documented but he has started all three of Leicester’s matches this season, scoring a memorable try against Newcastle, and Jones has seen fit to take a closer look at the 27-year-old centre. “I’ve never seen him have as much energy and acceleration since I saw him play in a video,” Jones said. “It seems to suggest that each week he is getting a little bit better, a little more in the game. He just seems to be mentally in the game.”
Ashton’s inclusion is not surprising in that Jones hinted he would be involved earlier this month but he cannot play for Sale before the squad is picked for the autumn. “My judgment is that Ashton’s going to be important for us in November,” Jones said.
Michael Rhodes and Joe Cokanasiga are among the other notable inclusions in a squad who convene in Bristol on Sunday for a three-day camp where they will be introduced to the new defence coach, John Mitchell. The 54-year-old New Zealander was finally confirmed as Paul Gustard’s replacement this week after the Rugby Football Union agreed a £200,000 compensation package with the Blue Bulls. Mitchell, the former All Blacks coach, comes at a high cost, commanding a salary of around £300,000, but Jones revealed he was contemplating recruiting him even if Gustard had not left.
“It was always at the back of my mind. We’ve got a very young coaching staff and you need someone else to help,” he added. “The World Cup is a difficult tournament and that’s why it has been won by two senior coaches. [The winners in] 2007, 2011, 2015 all had two senior coaches and I think it’s vital for the World Cup.”