Ashton comes under attack on Cipriani axing

Mar 7 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton has been accused of over-reacting after axing Danny Cipriani from the team to play Scotland for disciplinary reasons.

Cipriani, who was due to make his first Test start at Murrayfield tomorrow, did not even travel with the England squad yesterday as punishment for what the Rugby Football Union term as “inappropriate behaviour“.

Ashton took exception to the 20-year-old being photographed leaving a London nightclub at around 12.30am yesterday and took swift action.

Cipriani has been replaced in the England team by Gloucester’s Iain Balshaw, with Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson joining the replacements.

Ashton explained, “I’ve taken the decision regarding Danny and the matter is now closed. I will keep an open mind on selecting him for future games.”

But Ian McGeechan, Cipriani’s boss at Wasps, and club coach Shaun Edwards – who doubles as Warren Gatland’s defence specialist with Wales – strongly criticised Ashton’s decision, labelling it disproportionate.

McGeechan said, “Danny was pictured outside a nightclub last night, where he had gone to see a friend. He did not stay inside the nightclub for any length of time and he was not drinking. He was, at worst, naive, but no more than that.”

McGeechan added that Cipriani will now be considered for Wasps’ Guinness Premiership London derby against Harlequins on Sunday.

“In my eyes he has done nothing wrong,” Edwards told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He wasn’t drunk, didn’t offend anyone and to me that’s not a crime.”

The RFU said no further disciplinary action would be taken against Cipriani, but he has been “warned and advised” about future conduct.

Edwards explained the 20-year-old is used to a much more relaxed coaching regime at Wasps.

“It was his day off before the biggest game of his life and the last thing he wants to be thinking about is his rugby,” said Edwards. “I would actually encourage him to go out with his friends and relax. Maybe he went out because he’s only been used to the environment at Wasps where it would have been absolutely no problem. I’m not concerned about England, I’m just sticking up for my friend and player; and I don’t think he’s done anything wrong.”

Cipriani is the most exciting young player in English rugby – he has already helped Wasps win the Heineken Cup despite his tender years – and he is seen as the fly-half heir apparent to Jonny Wilkinson.

Cipriani made his England debut as a substitute against Wales last month and then came off the bench during the 23-19 victory over Italy in Rome.

Ashton decided to start with Cipriani at full-back against Scotland, the position he played for Wasps last season, and big things were expected from him at Murrayfield, where England need a win to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.

But Ashton, a former schoolmaster, was clearly in no mood to accept excuses for Cipriani’s behaviour.

Former England coach Dick Best understands why Ashton chose the tough stance – but he hopes Cipriani will be restored for England’s final Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham tomorrow week.

Best, who coached England between 1991-94, said, “It is not the smartest move by Danny and he is probably very disappointed and upset at making such a foolish mistake. It is a massive wake-up call for Danny.”