Lifestyle -- 12 days ago
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Eight years ago a young Danny Cipriani, cocksure and bristling with menace, tore Ireland to shreds. Then a cacophony of injuries, celebrity lifestyle and an underwhelming return to the International scene contrived to cut short his meteoric rise. But as the clock ran down in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon, a nation was once again baying for him to complete the comeback story, recall the magic of that day at Twickenham and spare Stuart Lancaster’s blushes. England, outplayed from start to finish in a timid pursuit of Six Nations glory, were in desperate need of his mercurial spark.
We have spent the past half-a-decade waiting for a fly-half to emerge from Jonny Wilkinson’s shadow, when really he was there all the time, mired in darkness. Cipriani’s impetuousness was evident from the off, be it being dropped from the squad for clubbing the night before his debut or swearing on live television. But now, under the mentorship of Steve Black, the fly-half is finally thinking on an even keel, whilst maintaining that devilish unpredictability which sets him apart from the pack.
Down under Cipriani struggled to find consistent form, his panache only visible in flashes during a period with the fledgling Melbourne Rebels. When an opportunity with Sale Sharks arose many believed this was his last chance to push back into the reckoning for a white jersey. After a nondescript start in the north-east, it took a clash with a double decker bus to force him to readjust his priorities. Now, be it attacking gain lines, hitting pin-point kicks for territory or zipping flat passes across the face of defences, he is finally rediscovering the magical promise of his youth.
That said, and despite an impressive cameo in New Zealand, a call up for the Autumn Internationals never came. With George Ford assertively assuming Owen Farrell’s mantle and Stephen Myler an ever-present stalwart of Premiership Champions Northampton, it looked like the fly-half would not get a look-in ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. But his game has evolved: Cipriani addressed his defensive frailties whilst his kicking game flourished in the unforgiving cauldron of European rugby – here he is England’s most accurate from the tee, nailing all but one of his 13 kicks this season. Finally he received his just reward; a call up to England’s Six Nations squad.
With around a quarter of the game to go in Dublin Sir Clive Woodward began advocating a substitution for Cipriani – bring him on as a centre, a focal point for attack, a maverick who will keep a bullish Ireland, accomplished in the art of aerial bombardment, on the back foot and drag England back into the game. The same man who, a fortnight ago, made the space for Jonny May to fly up and inside the Italian defence with his first touch – a beautifully weighted flat pass – and who gambled with the kind of industrious supporting run no other England player demonstrated a capacity for, to score with his second. He has spent his time in the wilderness and returned hardened, matured and wisened, and now fans and pundits alike are calling for more. But the opportunity to crown his journey with a flourish never materialised against Ireland.
There is much to be admired in the youthful exuberance of both Owen Farrell and George Ford, but Stuart Lancaster should not forget that the 27-year-old Cipriani has potentially two world cups in the tank. A human defibrillator capable of resuscitating hope, verve and aggression, he is the electric shock England need when they are on the brink of death. Now is not the time to throw him overboard, to cast him aside as a hypothesis never tested, an unwelcome experiment. With the Six Nations title likely remaining in Dublin, it is time to throw him back in the fire and see if he can impose his will on an International stage once again
Words By Dan Cater
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
