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Cipriani could potentially do an Ashton and haunt Eddie Jones next weekend
By Online Editors
Danny Cipriani will know on Monday if Eddie Jones is willing give him a shot at playing out-half for England in their June 2 match versus the Barbarians at Twickenham.
England are due to announce their squad to take part in the non-cap international and with Owen Farrell unavailable due to his involvement with Saracens in next Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final against Exeter, there is a half-back shirt going spare in Jones’ set-up.
Intriguingly, Cipriani could wind up facing England if Jones doesn’t bite and include him. The Rugby Paper are reporting that the maverick playmaker is potentially being lined up by Pat Lam to run-out for the invitational side a year after Chris Ashton used his appearance in this fixture against England to force his way back into the Test team set-up via the Baa-Baas route.
Cipriani was watched in person by Jones in this weekend’s Premiership semi-final loss by Gloucester to Saracens, a one-sided match where the defending champions were far too good and had victory secured by the interval.
Gloucester boss Johan Ackermann left Allianz Park hoping that his star out-half wouldn’t be judged on that one game following a fabulous first season at the club where his creativity was recognised by him winning the RPA and Gallagher Premiership Players’ Player of the Year awards.
"If we'd played better, we probably could have helped Danny, but we made some silly errors," said Ackermann. "It will be tough if Danny's judged on the one game. You have to look at the whole season.
"He can make a difference. It's the way you want to play and it is a tough choice for Eddie (Jones). I do believe that Danny can do it. Danny can come off the bench and make a huge difference.”
Cipriani’s only England appearance since Jones took over following the 2015 World Cup came against South Africa in Cape Town last June when he started at fly-half alongside Farrell at inside centre.
WATCH: Danny Cipriani collects his latest player of the year award
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