Cipriani gets some good news
Danny Cipriani was finally given something to smile about, three days after suffering a badly broken ankle, when he was voted Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.
Danny Cipriani was finally given something to smile about, three days after suffering a badly broken ankle, when he was voted Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.
Cipriani beat Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Wasps team-mate James Haskell to be awarded the Nick Duncombe Memorial Trophy at Wednesday's Professional Rugby Players' Association gala dinner.
But the 20-year-old Wasps fly-half was not able to collect his award in person after suffering a dislocated fracture of his right ankle in Sunday's Guinness Premiership semi-final win over Bath.
The injury was a wretched way for Cipriani to end a glittering season, in which he ousted Jonny Wilkinson as England fly-half and earned unprecedented nominations in both main categories for the PRA and Guinness Premiership awards.
The PRA Player of the Year award was won by Cipriani's Wasps team-mate Riki Flutey, with Bath centre Olly Barkley in second place and Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel third.
“I am privileged to have been nominated for both players' awards,” Cipriani said.
“To have been voted the PRA Young Player of the Year by my fellow players is a huge honour and it means a lot to me.
“It wouldn't have been possible without the talented players around me and the continued advice and support from the excellent coaches and management at Wasps throughout the year.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Wasps, Bath, England and the supporters for your help and support since Sunday.
“I am determined to come back from the injury a better player, both physically and mentally.”
Cipriani was released from London's Lister Hospital on Tuesday after undergoing surgery on his ankle and initial estimates suggest he will be sidelined for up to six months.
He is definitely out of Wasps' Premiership final date with Leicester and England's summer tour to New Zealand – but a leading arthroscopic surgeon believes Cipriani could be back in time for the November internationals.
“I would expect him to commence an early and aggressive rehabilitation programme to reduce swelling in the joint and to get range of movement back as quickly as possible,” said specialist Simon Moyes.
“I personally would expect him to return at three months rather than at six months.”
“(However), there is a small chance of there being some permanent damage here.”
Flutey, a New Zealander who will qualify for England in September and is keen to pull on the red rose, follows another Kiwi, Glen Jackson, in claiming the top prize.
Flutey moved to Wasps from London Irish last summer and has been integral to the club's post-World Cup surge up the table and into the Premiership final.
“It's a fantastic honour to win this award,” the centre said.
“To be recognised like this by other players across the Premiership is massive for me.
“It's been awesome having the opportunity to play in a new position at twelve and I've really enjoyed my season playing there.”
At a gala dinner attended by 1,100 people, Jason Robinson received the PRA Special Merit Award for his outstanding contribution to rugby.
Robinson's former England team-mates Jason Leonard and Richard Hill were inducted into the PRA Hall of Fame.
Former England international and retiring BBC rugby commentator Alistair Hignell was awarded the PRA Towergate Blyth Spirit Award for his “remarkable courage in battling with the debilitation of MS and for his tremendous contribution to rugby as both player and broadcaster”.