Cipriani withdraws from Ireland A clash

DANNY Cipriani has withdrawn from the England Saxons squad ahead of Sunday’s game against Ireland A after suffering a family bereavement.

The Wasps fly-half had been set to relaunch his stuttering international career with the England second string at The Recreation ground in Bath. But the RFU confirmed Cipriani is unavailable for selection after losing a close relative.

The RFU statement said: “Danny has the full support of the Saxons coaches and management as well as all at London Wasps through this difficult time.”

Northampton’s Shane Geraghty, who won two caps for England during the autumn, will play at fly-half as one of four senior internationals in the starting line-up. Two of those feature in the front row, in London Irish hooker David Paice and Gloucester prop Paul Doran-Jones, while Harlequins’ David Strettle returns on the wing.

Leicester’s Ben Youngs will start at scrum-half before linking up with England’s Six Nations squad next week.

Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster said, “We have a young squad full of quality players and a good mix of experience. I’m sure they will rise to a challenging Ireland A squad.”

England Saxons lost 49-22 to Ireland A in the final of last summer’s Churchill Cup in Denver.

Meanwhile, Jonny Wilkinson has signed a one-year contract extension with French side Toulon. The World Cup-winning fly-half, whose existing deal was due to expire at the end of this season, moved to the Top 14 club from Newcastle last summer and has since returned to the England elite squad.

London Irish defence coach Dave Ellis has extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2010/11 season.

Ellis, who originally joined the Exiles on a one-year contract in August, will continue working with the French national team.

Only Leicester and Saracens, the top two sides in the Premiership, have conceded fewer tries than London Irish’s tally of 10 in 12 matches.

Head coach Toby Booth said: “It is encouraging for London Irish’s future as a top team in the Guinness Premiership that an internationally renowned defence coach like Dave Ellis has committed to the club.

“It is another sign of this club’s intent to rank among the best in this country and Europe.”

The Exiles will be without number eight Chris Hala’ufia for the next four weeks after he was suspended for striking Leinster captain Leo Cullen.

Hala’ufia will miss the LV=Cup ties against against Harlequins and Worcester and two Guinness Premiership fixtures, at home to Bath and away at Newcastle.

England Saxons v Ireland A, The Rec): A Goode; D Strettle, D Waldouck, B Barritt, N Cato; S Geraghty, B Youngs; N Wood, D Paice, P Doran-Jones, D Attwood, G Skivington (c); T Wood, A Saull, P Dowson