Cipriani ready for Europe
England tyro Danny Cipriani will be fit and ready to launch Wasps' bid for a third European title in six seasons.
England tyro Danny Cipriani will be fit and ready to launch Wasps' bid for a third European title in six seasons.
That is the clear message from his club after the England fly-half missed Wasps' 24-19 EDF Energy Cup defeat at Gloucester.
Cipriani began his comeback from an horrific ankle injury against Bath last Wednesday, regaining full fitness six weeks ahead of schedule.
He was then named on the bench for Wasps' trip to Kingsholm, but withdrew hours before kick-off.
“Danny is just sore,” said Wasps boss Ian McGeechan.
“It was a three-day recovery between games and it was just too quick, which is why we decided not to have him on the bench.
“He has played his first game for months and, in the end, it was too quick to have him back.
“There is no problem – he's fit. It was just the timescale was too quick. There is certainly no problem.”
Wasps kick off their Heineken Cup campaign against French opponents Castres next weekend – and it could conceivably be the only trophy they seriously contest this term.
Tenth in the Guinness Premiership after four defeats in five games, Wasps will make an early EDF exit if Group A pace-setters Gloucester or the Dragons win their next two matches.
Willie Walker's 16-point contribution underpinned Gloucester's victory, while there was also a try for wing Lesley Vainikolo. Scrum-half Mark Robinson and flanker James Haskell touched down for Wasps.
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan said: “Performances are there week in and week out, but if you have a ding-dong against Wasps, you are happy to come out on top.
“This gives us a chance to push some resources at this competition in the later games.”
Sale Sharks' injury misery continued as they were sunk 18-17 by Group B opponents Cardiff Blues at Edgeley Park.
Having lost hooker Sebastien Bruno and lock Sean Cox to long-term injuries in midweek, wing Oriol Ripol joined them after breaking his right arm.
Sale were beaten by a last-gasp Richard Mustoe try, although Blues head coach David Young was hardly overjoyed by his team's display.
Young said: “It wasn't good enough. We gave away far too many penalties, made far too many mistakes and the only real positive is that we got the win.
“The boys are very down and disappointed, but we've got Leicester and Bath now to play in this competition and we know we need to improve massively.”
Leicester, Anglo-Welsh tournament winners in 2007 and beaten finalists last season, saw South African fly-half Derick Hougaard kick 14 points on his debut in a narrow win at Bath.
Tigers head coach Heyneke Meyer hailed Hougaard's accomplished introduction to British rugby after Leicester prevailed 19-15.
He said: “You need a very good number 10 in these competitions, and Derick is a good tactical player who can turn a game around.
“He will be one of the best players in the Premiership, especially as he learns to play in different conditions. He's got a lot to offer.”
Bristol's woes continued as they suffered a sixth successive league and cup defeat, losing 30-17 against Group D hosts Northampton.
Australian newcomer Mathew Turner offered Bristol a glimmer of hope by scoring two tries on his debut, but Chris Ashton, Lee Dickson, Paul Diggin and Chris Mayor touched down to ensure a bonus point for Saints.
The game's dominant performer though, was probably Welsh referee Nigel Owens, who dished out five yellow cards, with Bristol briefly down to 13 men early in the second-half.
Bristol head coach Richard Hill insisted: “Things are picking up. We aren't playing terribly, but we are shooting ourselves in the foot.
“The story of our season is that we tend to let the other team score within about 15 seconds of getting the ball.
“We tend to kick deep, they counter-attack and within 15 seconds, they are under our posts, which is killing us.
“I was delighted with Mathew Turner. He has only had two training sessions with us, and he went on to score tries on both wings and make a try-saving tackle.
“He was spotted playing on the sevens circuit and I was told he was special, so we moved quickly.”