Where Cipriani is listed in Eddie Jones' 35 man England squad has people talking
England head coach Eddie Jones has called up 35 players to prepare for England’s Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium.
However where Danny Cipriani has been listed has been something of a talking point.
While Jones has listed 9 inside backs, he has chosen to list the Gloucester bound flyhalf as a fullback. Cipriani hasn’t played regularly at 15 for years.
At the previous tour announcement, Jones hinted at a move to fullback. “Danny has not had a recall – I have never picked him so I have for the first time. I have watched him very closely and he deserves an opportunity and has done things I have asked him to do in games. He is has to prove he is the best No10 in the squad or No15. We wouldn’t have picked him if we didn’t think so.”
Eddie Jones also had a word for Paul Gustard, will join the Harlequins as head of rugby following the conclusion of the South Africa tour: “I wish Gussy all the best at Quins. He is a talented young English coach and a very good choice for the role. He has made a big contribution to the England coaching team as our defence coach and I’m happy that he has this opportunity to develop and prove himself in a head of rugby role.”
“A recruitment process is underway for a new defence coach,” the RFU have stated.
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Backs
Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Cipriani (Wasps)
Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)
Elliot Daly (Wasps) **Wednesday
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Jason Woodward (Gloucester Rugby)*
Inside backs
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints)
Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors) *
Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *
Dan Robson (Wasps) *
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)*
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby)*
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Forwards
Back five
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks) *
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby) *
Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps) ** Tuesday
Joe Launchbury (Wasps) ** Thursday
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *
Josh McNally (London Irish)*
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Jono Ross (Sale Sharks)*
Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby) *
Mark Wilson (Newcastle)
Front row
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers)*
Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors) *
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors) *
* Uncapped players
** Arrival into camp