Super Cipriani sparks Poms
15 Mar 2008
Danny Cipriani scored 18 points in his first start at flyhalf as England thrashed Ireland 33-10 at Twickenham.
If Brian Ashton is not sacked by the RFU at the end of March, the coach will have Cipriani to thank. Ironically, it was Ashton who axed the 20-year-old from the side that lost to Scotland last Saturday when he was caught leaving a nightclub just after midnight. Many thought England would have won at Murrayfield had Cipriani been there, and after this victory against Ireland few would disagree.
Eddie O’Sullivan, however, will almost certainly be looking for a new job. The Irish coach was given a stay of execution after a nightmare World Cup, but three Six Nations defeats should see the guillotine fall.
O’Sullivan would have been optimistic about keeping his job after seven minutes of this match when his side led 10-0. After a quick tap from a line-out, left wing Robert Kearney switched with fullback Geordan Murphy and scored the first try of the game. Flyhalf Ronan O’Gara kicked the conversion and then added a penalty to take his side into double figures.
However, by the end of the first quarter England had drawn level. Cipriani scored his first Test points via a penalty and winger Paul Sackey then started and finished an attack that resulted in his side’s opening try.
With Cipriani at 10, England were able to play an exciting, expansive game that was worlds apart from the rubbish they dished up at Murrayfield. They should have scored a second try when Jamie Noon broke the Irish defence, but the centre lost possession just before the line. A second penalty from Cipriani saw the hosts go into the break with a three-point lead, and you got the feeling Ireland were simply hanging on.
Cipriani kicked another penalty soon after the restart, before replacement Mathew Tait grabbed England’s second try on the hour-mark to make it 23-10. When Ireland got their hands on the ball in the second half, they lacked direction, especially in the centres. When they entered England’s 22, they either knocked on or turned over possession. It was woeful stuff.
With 12 minutes to go, Noon – voted Man of the Match – capped off an excellent individual performance with a barn-storming try of his own. Cipriani slotted the conversion and then added a penalty to make it seven out of seven.
England – Tries: Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Jamie Noon. Conversions: Danny Cipriani (3). Penalties: Cipriani (4).
Ireland – Try: Robert Kearney. Conversion: Ronan O’Gara. Penalty: O’Gara.
By Simon Borchardt
25 Comments
15 Mar 2008, 17:04 pm
Opium pushing Slave Trader b Choirboys. Who will be screwed? Not a bone in a wrist to be seen anywhere. The viewing public as usual in the northern hemisphere. Heavens I am bothered that I should pay for this? No conscience comrades. Eddie the Assassinh should do as well as last week.
Tiana **** head’s son is the referee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BS like the Bulls!
15 Mar 2008, 17:14 pm
On the warpath? Or what?
The previous referee is Welsh and he would crack if you called him English!
15 Mar 2008, 17:18 pm
He sucks anyway! I though that he played for Newcastle. Jeez the Kiwi in the white team could not get a s14 contract it is obvious, even for the BS!.
15 Mar 2008, 17:19 pm
Cipriani is the star so far and he cannot even kick!
15 Mar 2008, 17:24 pm
Kiwi scores!
15 Mar 2008, 18:13 pm
AiDoc
Put the vibrator down and step away, slowly.
15 Mar 2008, 18:14 pm
#6 – LMFAO.
15 Mar 2008, 18:53 pm
Well done big hit…
finally we should get rid of Eddie O S.
You did some good but overstayed your stay by a few years
15 Mar 2008, 19:04 pm
Ireland have become bland. Time for changes.
15 Mar 2008, 21:07 pm
Paul O’Connell reminds me of Bakkies Botha – a good rugby player but unlikely to win a Nobel prize.
15 Mar 2008, 21:15 pm
Well done to Big *** and the batty boys….Ireland were ****, though
15 Mar 2008, 22:55 pm
#9 Jinx send them a kiwi coach. Dragons rule, Englands come about third I think.
15 Mar 2008, 23:21 pm
England win by 20 points, Scotland lose to Italy, normal balance is restored. Hallelujah!
15 Mar 2008, 23:22 pm
8
Cheers Flametop, yeah, Ireland’s future should look brighter with a new coach. Get that Munster coach in, he’s a winner.
16 Mar 2008, 01:30 am
finally Eddie O’Sullivan is gone
That Scottish coach should go as well
pissed me off how they played with B sides at the RWC and how Eddie persisted with kuk players such as that prop Hayes.
16 Mar 2008, 01:55 am
Big Hit – congratulations – you have been singing Danny’s praises before the season started, so good one.
I hope that this does not prevent Shaun Edwards taking Ashton’s place as soon as possible for your sanity’s sake.
16 Mar 2008, 03:03 am
13# yes balance is restored it shows how pathetic really are when beaten by Wales and Scotland it takes a team like Italy to show how its done. go the Dragons, good work Scotland!!
16 Mar 2008, 03:04 am
#11 deAD RIGHT ITS THE ONLY WAY THE POMS COULD GET A WIN
16 Mar 2008, 09:10 am
Oh Well. Guess that’s the end of Johnny – pity – I enjoyed that bloke for his pure professionalism and all.
16 Mar 2008, 11:12 am
Cipriani played well just shows what a flyhalf can do with possesion? Better than J Wilkie has ever done. Now England must just find a better captain and coach and fullback. I must admit that a school side could have played better than Ireland(pathetic). But England are now going to make the same mistake and try and play around Capriani and forget that they have 14 other players. They are going to get thumped in Kiwi land.
16 Mar 2008, 12:23 pm
I didn’t know Cipriana use to have a girlfriend who later admitted she was a man
16 Mar 2008, 14:10 pm
Wilkinson isn’t finished by a long chalk. He’ll simply play 12.
16 Mar 2008, 14:11 pm
21
yeah apparently his nickname in the Wasps changing room is ‘Danny Cipriani who slept with a man’
16 Mar 2008, 16:02 pm
England will still struggle against the SH sides, even with a full strenghth side
They have built their past successes on a lot of passion and some skill
Now, with Cipriani and others they will think they can go south and beat the SH sides at their own game
It’s a big mistake imo
16 Mar 2008, 18:59 pm
We’ll see Mal, we’ll see.
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