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Piers Morgan weighs in on Cipriani debate
By Josh Raisey
After being named both the Premiership Player of the Season and the RPA Players’ Player of the Season, there is a lot of talk surrounding Danny Cipriani and his return to the England fold.
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Cipriani has been excluded from the England squad all season, despite his demonstrable good form. What makes this more bizarre is that he played for England in 2018 in the summer series against South Africa, where many thought he proved himself worthy of keeping hold of the number 10 shirt after guiding England to victory in the third test.
This is something that has been discussed by players, fans and pundits alike, and now broadcaster and columnist Piers Morgan has thrown his hat into the ring. He has never been afraid to share his opinion on any topic, but this is one where many England fans will agree with him.
Morgan said on Twitter that “mavericks win matches & tournaments”, and told Eddie Jones to stop being “stubborn”.
Congrats @DannyCipriani87 – brilliant player & great guy.
England have to pick him for the World Cup – mavericks win matches & tournaments.
Stop being so stubborn, Eddie Jones. https://t.co/OSbzpQBnNc— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 23, 2019
An off-field incident happened between the summer series and the new season, which did not cover the fly-half in glory, but Jones has been reluctant to say that is why he has not been picked. He has preferred to say that it is an issue of performances and form.
Morgan is just one of many that are demanding Jones pick Cipriani for the World Cup, as his form is no longer an excuse that the Australian can fall back on. However, many feel that this will fall on deaf ears, as it has all year.
The Good Morning Britain presenter has long been an advocate for some of English sport’s pariahs. He used to campaign for a similarly divisive figure Kevin Pietersen to return to the England Cricket set up, as he was another player whose talents could not be disputed but may have created a personality clash.
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With Jones set to name the England squad to face the Barbarians next weekend, many feel that this is now or never for Cipriani. He would obviously not have another chance to prove himself to earn a place in the squad for the World Cup warm-up matches, and that would be the end of his dream of representing England again, certainly under Jones.
