Dallaglio backs Wasps wünderkid

Dallaglio backs Wasps wünderkid

27 Feb 2008

Former England loose forward Lawrence Dallaglio believes Danny Cipriani should be given a regular run in the England team at fullback.

Some sectors of the English media and public were calling for Cipriani to replace Jonny Wilkinson after their Six Nations defeat to Wales. Those critics have now eased up on ‘Wilko’, and turned their attention to veteran fullback Ian Balshaw.

Dallaglio, speaking to the BBC, said the young Wasps flyhalf was a far better option at No. 15 than Balshaw, adding that at this stage of his career he would benefit from watching Wilkinson operate at pivot.

“He has a huge amount to offer – he has got that X-factor – and his form is a little bit better than Balshaw’s,” he said.

“The responsibility of playing 10 is a huge one. To throw someone like Danny in there and say run the show and expect him to be better than Jonny is a big ask. What Danny needs is an introduction to international rugby, to find the pace of the game and find his feet.

“Maybe that could be better served done at 15, where you get a chance to read and understand the game. It’s what we did [at Wasps]. We introduced him at 15, he played a season for us there and played in the Heineken Cup final at full-back.

“He went on to become the number 10. I think that would be a good way to introduce him into the England team.”

England are fourth in the Six Nations table, and will face Scotland at Murrayfield on 8 March.


8 Comments

  • 1.soenmydonkie: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 13:00 pm

    Please, please get rid of Ballsup

  • 2.Pete77: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 13:14 pm

    I agree anyone but Ian ‘no balls’shaw! So many better options – Tait, Cipriani, Lewsey, Cueto

  • 3.cane: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 13:19 pm

    Dallaglio believes Cipriani should ……………………Yeah , yeah, yeah……..just another Coke fiend promoting another Sicilian member of the “Family”.

  • 4.soenmydonkie: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 13:22 pm

    Is it true that Ashton has a personal problem with Lewsey and that’s why he’s not being picked?

    They can’t take Ballshaw to NZ end of the year, that should be their aim this year….building a team for that tour

  • 5.cane: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 13:26 pm

    “England are fourth in the Six Nations table,”

    Yet you Okes continue to parade yourselves around the International Awards Circuit, like beating them in the final of the WC made you some kind of Gods?

    I agree……….you can only beat what is in front of you……..

  • 6.Blou Zebu: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 13:52 pm

    It either wünderkind or wonderkid.

  • 7.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 14:02 pm

    5

    England are only 4th on points difference, are only 3 games in and have just beaten France in Paris.

  • 8.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2008, 15:03 pm

    4 more………ag cane you know that one already.

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