Cipriani axed

[keaton]

Danny Cipriani has been dropped from England's team to face Scotland because of what the Rugby Football Union has described as "inappropriate behaviour".
The Wasps player was set to make his first England start on Saturday after being named at full-back.

The matter is believed to revolve around Cipriani, 20, being pictured leaving a London nightclub soon after midnight on Thursday morning.

Iain Balshaw, who was dropped to make way for Cipriani, is recalled.



Wasps have said they are disheartened by the decision to drop Cipriani and have included him in their squad for their Premiership game at home to Harlequins on Sunday.

Director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "We are hugely disappointed with the decision to withdraw Danny from the England team, and similarly disappointed for Danny himself.

"He did not stay inside the nightclub for any length of time and he was not drinking. He was at worst naive in his actions, but no more than that.

"Given the circumstances, a measured response to his actions was required and I think this is a very harsh decision."

I will keep an open mind on selecting him for future games

England coach Brian Ashton

The RFU says no further disciplinary action will be taken against Cipriani but he has been warned and advised about his future conduct.

England head coach Brian Ashton said: "I have taken the decision regarding Danny and the matter is now closed. I will keep an open mind on selecting him for future games."

Balshaw's place on the replacements bench for Saturday's Six Nations game at Murrayfield has been taken by Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson.

Cipriani has won two England caps, coming on as a replacement in the 2008 Six Nations games against Wales and Italy.


f*** not Balshaw again

 

[SNOOBS]

What did he actually do?

 

[Tooting Gull]

Complete overreaction from Ashton, knee-jerk response to a photo-led piece in the Standard with a nasty slant on it that he should have ignored.

Cipriani, clearly from the photo, is not the worse for wear; he later confirmed he hadn't been drinking; he wasn't involved in any unsavoury incidents; and most importantly there wasn't even a curfew that night.

I hope they actually spoke to him before dropping him, if not this is even more ridiculous.

 

[Scotty Mac]

balshaw

 

[Stat Brother]

Complete overreaction from Ashton, knee-jerk response to a photo-led piece in the Standard with a nasty slant on it that he should have ignored.

Cipriani, clearly from the photo, is not the worse for wear; he later confirmed he hadn't been drinking; he wasn't involved in any unsavoury incidents; and most importantly there wasn't even a curfew that night.

I hope they actually spoke to him before dropping him, if not this is even more ridiculous.

All probably fair comment, not seen the photo.
But you do have to be a bit 'special' if you think it's a good idea to go clubbing 48 hours before the biggest day off your career.
I'd imagine, unlike your average footballer, he'll learn quite quickly from this.

 

[Badger]

Don't rugby players have to go through an initiation when they join a new club?

Surely the problem was that he refused to down dirty pints and run around the club naked which is why he left the club so early. He was clearly dropped for being a wimp

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

.............................. He was clearly dropped for being a wimp

That would be strange as it's normally part of the job description for anyone playing with nos 10-15 incl on their back.

 

[Stat Brother]

Apparently he was just dropping off tickets too a mate, who happened to be in a wine bar.

 

[Tooting Gull]

Great quote from ex-England coach Dick Best.

"I don't know what all the fuss is about. In my day if you wanted to gather up the players, you just went round the pubs."

 

[terrymendez]

Feel for him really....

News | This is London

 

[Icy Gull]

He was told to have an early night by Ashton and was spotted out and about after midnight, so he shouldn't be too shocked at being dropped. Rugby coaches expect the players to do what they tell them.

 

[Robbie G]

balshaw

Oh dear

 

[Scotty Mac]

Oh dear

he is WANK

 

[Simon Morgan]

he is not wank for fucks sake, just not been playing well of late. he can't be 'wank' if he's an international.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

he can't be 'wank' if he's an international.

Clearly you dont watch the England football team then?

 

[Brixtaan]

Clearly you dont watch the England football team then?

Or the cricket team.

 

[Scotty Mac]

Or the cricket team.

or the tennis team

 

[Simon Morgan]

very clever, i'm sure normal members of the public could do a far better job than the athletes that represent england. good players need to be managed properly.

 

[Scotty Mac]

very clever, i'm sure normal members of the public could do a far better job than the athletes that represent england. good players need to be managed properly.

does ashton not manage them properly then?

 

[chez]

very clever, i'm sure normal members of the public could do a far better job than the athletes that represent england. good players need to be managed properly.

No, I'm damn sure that at least 50% of people old enough on this board are, or have been better footballers than Geoff Thomas and he was an international !!!!