ENGLAND HEAD COACH Stuart Lancaster has named Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter in his training squad for their Six Nations opener with Wales.
The return of the duo had been mooted by the British press and Lancaster confirmed on Wednesday that they have been handed the opportunity to emerge from the international wilderness.
Fly-half Cipriani has not played in a Six Nations game since 2008, although he did make multiple appearances on the June tour of New Zealand. But the Sale Sharks star will need to outshine Owen Farrell, George Ford and Stephen Myler to have a chance of making the matchday squad for the clash at the Millennium Stadium on 6 February.
“He’s not been far away at all from the New Zealand tour,” Lancaster said. ”He came on the tour, he came into the camp in August. Since then he’s improved his game, he’s worked hard. It’s a good chance for Danny to to put a marker down.”
Easter has been rewarded for an outstanding season with Harlequins and could feature for the first time in more than three years. Easter won his last cap in 2011 and gives England another option at the number eight spot after Ben Morgan suffered a broken leg earlier this month.
Asked about Easter’s inclusion, Lancaster added: “With Ben Morgan’s injury, there’s a need for specialist number eights in the squad. Nick has been outstanding and deserved his opportunity to prove that he can replicate that at international level.”
Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes is left out as he recovers from an ankle injury, while Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi could miss the majority the tournament with a groin complaint.
“We will continue to work with Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers with Courtney and Manu to see where they are as the Six Nations progresses,” Lancaster said.
Squad in full:
Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bath), Calum Clark (Northampton), Dan Cole (Leicester), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Graham Kitchener (Leicester), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Geoff Parling (Leicester), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton), Tom Youngs (Leicester)
Backs: Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Danny Care (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Sale), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Jonny May (Gloucester), Stephen Myler (Northampton), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Anthony Watson (Bath), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester)
So he won’t comment on Costa regarding two stamps but has an opinion on every decision that went against him. A dose of wengeritis me thinks.
Funny, when etoo kicked Suarez in the box last year he was adamant that wasn’t a penalty. So what’s he yapping about this time?
Etoo also made a horrendous challenge on a Liverpool player in the first two mins of that game last year also if my memory serves me correctly. Howard Webb bottled that game, as per usual.
Oscar almost crippled Lucas in that game too, he got a yellow and he was remorseful, but still, these things show how lucky Chelsea have been. They should have the worst disciplinary record in the league.
Costa is probably facing a ban , so Maureen won’t comment on it cause he doesn’t want to implicate him even more then what he is already
Johhny, when has Maureen ever talked about it when it is about his players? But, if against his team, he is willing to destroy the reputation of a ref, or like he did with Suarez, call them terrible things to the game…… Suarez was/is an immature player, prone to very stupid things, but he loves football 100%, has the skills to back it up. Costa plays for Chelsea, so it is ok.
“Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me. When you are there and you are paid and you are very well paid – much more than some managers that have to put their ass, every 90 minutes, every weekend on the bench.
“These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest. I don’t know his name, because when I see him I switch off the television.”
Classic Mourinho !