Cipriani steals show on England debut

Danny Cipriani marked his full England debut with an outstanding performance in today’s 33-10 victory over Ireland.

Cipriani kicked seven place-kicks from seven attempts – accounting for 18 of England’s points in today’s RBS 6 Nations match at Twickenham – but blotted his copybook afterwards by swearing live on BBC1 in his after-match interview.

The rising star from Wasps claimed “it’s the f****** one to eight who deserve the man of the match”.

Cipriani, who took over the kicking duties from England’s axed World Cup-winner Jonny Wilkinson, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“It may have been my first game, but I have played it in my head a million times.”

Cipriani was delighted with a victory which followed the controversial half-back’s dropping from the initial match-day squad for last week’s Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield, after being spotted leaving a London night-club in the early hours two days beforehand.

Despite his own significant contribution, Cipriani was determined the England forwards should receive due credit.

“When they play like that it is easy for the number 10,” he pointed out.

“I thought our forwards were absolutely outstanding today.”

Cipriani also spared a thought for coach Brian Ashton, who has taken much of the flak for England’s mediocre Six Nations campaign – not least when he decided to drop his protege against Scotland.

“I think we owed part of it [the win] to Brian, because sometimes we have not performed as well as we should have,” he said.