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Cipriani handed first England start in a decade

Updated / Thursday, 21 Jun 2018 16:37
Danny Cipriani's inclusion is one of four changes to the side
Danny Cipriani's inclusion is one of four changes to the side

Danny Cipriani will make his first England start for a decade after being selected at fly-half for Saturday's third and final Test against South Africa.

Cipriani has ousted George Ford after playing 13 minutes as a second-half replacement for his rival in the series-conceding 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein last weekend.

The tour to South Africa is his first appearance in an England squad under Eddie Jones and the Gloucester-bound playmaker has now impressed enough to be elevated into the starting XV.

"I went to Australia when was younger because I was going through a tough time and wanted to experience a different culture," Cipriani said.

"My plan was always to come back and play for England. Anyone who knows me, knows that's what I've always wanted. It's a privilege to be here. I feel very grateful for the opportunity."

An outstanding season for Wasps has confirmed Cipriani as England's most accomplished attacking fly-half and at Newlands he is determined to show he can be relied upon to pull the strings.

"My emotions are that I want to be the calmest guy on the field so that when international pressures come on, people can turn to me and understand that I'm thorough in what I'm doing," Cipriani said.

"I know that I must execute. That's what I've tried to be consistent with over the last couple of years. Eddie doesn't want to restrict anyone from being themselves.

"There are certain ways that he wants you to lead the team and you've got to do what's best for the team."

It is only the third time Ford has been dropped since Jones took over in late 2015 and he is omitted from the 23 altogether.

"We are expecting a wet and windy old day at Newlands and have elected to play Danny Cipriani ahead of George Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option," Jones said.

"We will need to jump out of the blocks quickly again and make sure we maintain that pressure and make good decisions.

"We've had a really upbeat training week. We are up for the battle and are going to rip in on Saturday. We want another committed performance where it will be crucial to maintain our composure when the heat is on.

"I've been really impressed with the fortitude of the squad under Owen Farrell, who is a young captain, and with a number of young players who have really stuck to the task."

Cipriani's inclusion is one of four changes to the side dispatched by the Springboks at Free State Stadium.

Chris Robshaw returns at blindside flanker after Brad Shields was ruled out of the climax to the series because of illness, while Joe Marler starts at loosehead prop and Nathan Hughes at number eight.

Marler and Hughes profit after Mako and Billy Vunipola returned home for respective family and injury reasons.

Shields' absence was unexpected - England had hidden news of his illness - but Cipriani's return began to materialise earlier in the week after he lined up at fly-half in training.

Jones previously held doubts over the 30-year-old's capacity to be a disruptive influence in a team environment.

Accustomed to being first choice fly-half, it was also felt that he is ill-suited to the role of supporting Ford and Farrell - to date Jones' preferred choices in the positions - but his application on tour has won over his head coach.

He has accumulated 15 caps with last Saturday's appearance his first for three years and his return to favour comes following a superb season at Wasps.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made five changes to his team. 

Elsewhere, Stuart McInally will lead Scotland against Argentina on Sunday after recovering from injury.

The hooker has been absent with a calf injury suffered prior to departing for the tour of the Americas, but is fit to play in the third and final Test.

McInally is one of eight changes made by head coach Gregor Townsend following the surprise 30-29 defeat to the United States last weekend, with Tim Swinson the only forward retained.

Alongside McInally, who stayed with the squad as tour captain throughout his injury, Allan Dell and Simon Berghan will pack down while Grant Gilchrist partners Swinson in the second row.

Townsend has been forced to name regular hooker Fraser Brown in the back row despite having Jamie Ritchie on the bench, and the Glasgow man will line up alongside Magnus Bradbury and David Denton.

Dougie Fife, who made a try-scoring return after three years in the international wilderness last week, is the only change in the backs as he replaces Byron McGuigan.

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