Cipriani – I would have dropped me
Benched fly-half Danny Cipriani admitted that he would have dropped himself after Martin Johnson left him out of the England line-up for New Zealand's visit to Twickenham.
Benched fly-half Danny Cipriani admitted that he would have dropped himself after Martin Johnson left him out of the England line-up for New Zealand's visit to Twickenham.
Under-fire Cipriani is one of three changes to the starting XV that was beaten 42-6 by world champions South Africa last weekend.
And the 21-year-old playmaker believes the England Team Manager made the correct call in bringing in Toby Flood for Saturday's fixture.
“If I was coach I would have made the same decision,” said Cipriani.
“Against South Africa I didn't make it easy for him to pick me again. It wasn't the greatest and it didn't go to plan.
“Mentally I am fine. I think I have learned a lot and this series has been a vital experience for me. I am not looking at it as a setback.
“I have a different job this weekend. I need to try and be inspiring to the rest of the team.
“We are playing the toughest team in the world and I could be on in the first minute. There is no way I could have a different mindset.
“My confidence won't dip at all. I know what I can do. I need to make sure when I come off the bench I am firing. I might have to make a vital decision so there was no way I could step off.”
Meanwhile, Johnson has revealed that his inclusion of Leicester pivot Flood was the reward of some impressive performances from the replacements bench over recent weeks.
“He's an international class number ten and very assured. He's played pretty well when he's got on the field,” said Johnson.
“We have to execute on the field and be very aggressive defensively. We've been too easy to score against in the last two weeks; we need to be in the game with fifteen minutes to go.
“It's a tough week when you get beaten and blown out. It's a test for all of us. It's not about wallowing in self-pity.”
As for Flood, the man charged with facing New Zealand talisman Daniel Carter and company this weekend, he admitted his task will be tough one at HQ.
“It will be very difficult but no more so than South Africa,” the Tiger said.
“There won't be a massive change but maybe we will look to stay in the game a bit more early on.”