Cipriani gets England recall ahead of New Zealand tour

Cipriani gets England recall ahead of New Zealand tour

Danny Cipriani's six-year England exile came to an end Thursday when he was named in a preliminary training squad ahead of next month's tour of New Zealand.

England fly half Danny Cipriani watches the ball after kicking downfield against South Africa during the Investec Challenge international rugby match, at Twickenham, west of London, on November 22, 2008

Not since the fly-half won the last of his seven caps in 2008 has Cipriani had any senior England involvement but his call-up by national coach Stuart Lancaster was acknowledgement of a fine season at Sale, where he helped the north-west side to a sixth-placed finish in the Premiership.

However, Lancaster only named a 20-strong squad on Thursday from the six of the 12 Premiership clubs whose season has now come to an end.

When Cipriani was first selected for Test duty, he was seen as the 'golden boy' of English rugby and the natural heir to Jonny Wilkinson.

But a questionable attitude and an off-field 'celebrity' lifestyle that saw Cipriani featuring in the front pages, as well as the back, of newspapers did not sit well with the then England management.

However, Lancaster said the 26-year-old had deserved his recall, telling reporters: "Danny is back because of his form at Sale. He's played well. I take my decisions based on what the coaches say and what I see myself.

"I spoke to Danny prior to the Six Nations, giving him areas to work on which he has done. I called him on Tuesday to invite him into the squad.

"I've coached Danny more than most because during the majority of my time as England Saxons (reserve) coach he was on it. His club have done a fantastic job of making him a more rounded and mature person."

Lancaster is naming his squad in stages because Saracens, Northampton, Leicester and Harlequins are all involved in this weekend's English Premiership play-offs while next weekend sees Bath and Northampton contest the European Challenge Cup final, with Saracens playing French holders Toulon in the European Cup final.

In addition, Wasps have a two-legged play-off against Paris-based Stade Francais on May 18 and 24 for the final place in next season's Rugby Champions Cup, the successor tournament to the European Cup.

And that means Cipriani could yet miss out on a three-Test series with the world champion All Blacks, matches Lancaster has put a high premium on ahead of next year's World Cup in England, when Lancaster names his final squad for the tour, and the June 1 non-cap warm-up match against the Barbarians, on May 26.

Owen Farrell (Saracens) and George Ford (Bath), who ended the Six Nations as England's first-choice and back-up fly-halves respectively, are both set to be included, while Northampton's Stephen Myler will also be pushing for a tour place.

A further complication for Lancaster is that the first Test against New Zealand take place on Jun 7, a week after the Premiership final.

As a result, England could be without up to eight first-choice players who, if they feature in the final, will have insufficient time to recover for the Test at Auckland's Eden Park.

"I think it's ridiculous," Northampton and England flanker Tom Wood of the fixture clash.

"It splits your loyalties and it is a question you should never have to ask yourself...You should be doing the best you can for your club and playing yourself into contention for your country. The two should never be in conflict."

England training squad

Backs

Danny Cipriani (Sale), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Jonny May (Gloucester), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Sam Hill (Exeter), Chris Pennell (Worcester), Dan Robson (Gloucester), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester), Henry Slade (Exeter), Henry Trinder (Gloucester)

Forwards

Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Tom Johnson (Exeter), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Dave Ewers (Exeter), Michael Paterson(Sale), Tommy Taylor (Sale), Henry Thomas (Sale)

Fixtures

Jun 01: England XV v Barbarians, Twickenham

Jun 07: 1st Test v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland

Jun 14: 2nd Test v New Zealand, Dunedin

Jun 17: England XV v Crusaders, Christchurch

Jun 21: 3rd Test v New Zealand, Hamilton

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