Easter and Cipriani get England recalls for Six Nations

England have retained fly-half Danny Cipriani and No 8 Nick Easter in their 25-man squad for Friday’s RBS Six Nations opener against Wales.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Feb 2015, 00:32 BST
Danny Cipriani.Danny Cipriani.
Danny Cipriani.

The pair have experienced controversy during their careers, but have been earmarked for supporting roles off the bench in Cardiff with head coach Stuart Lancaster naming his starting XV this morning.

“Everyone named is fit and ready to go and we are looking forward to finalising our preparations over the next few days,” Lancaster said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cipriani, who made two appearances as a replacement during the summer tour to New Zealand, benefits from Owen Farrell’s championship-ending knee injury and has been preferred ahead of Stephen Myler to cover for Ford.

Easter won the last of his 47 caps at the 2011 World Cup but has been ignored by Lancaster until his recent return to the fold as reward for his magnificent form for Harlequins.

Bath centre Jamie Joseph is retained and is expected to form a midfield partnership alongside Luther Burrell, with either Jack Nowell or Billy Twelvetrees to feature on the bench when the 25 is trimmed to the matchday 23.

Richard Wigglesworth is the back-up scrum-half to Ben Youngs, while Tom Croft looks set to be the second-row cover with either tighthead Henry Thomas or Kieran Brookes removed from the squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Four British and Irish Lions will return to the matchday 23 with Dan Cole set to start in the front row and Croft, hooker Tom Youngs and loosehead Mako Vunipola destined for the bench.

Lancaster said: “While we have certain players unavailable through injury, it’s great to be able to welcome back guys who missed the QBE Series such as Dan Cole, Mako Vunipola and Tom Youngs.

“Their experience, alongside that of players like Tom Croft and Nick Easter, will be invaluable against a strong Welsh team.”

Squad: D Attwood (Bath), K Brookes (Newcastle), D Cole (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), G Kruis (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), C Robshaw (Harlequins, captain), H Thomas (Bath), M Vunipola (Saracens), B Vunipola (Saracens), T Youngs (Leicester), M Brown (Harlequins), L Burrell (Northampton), D Cipriani (Sale), G Ford (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester), A Watson (Bath), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester).

Cardiff pain: Page 21.

Related topics:EnglandSix NationsWales