DANNY CIPRIANI must emulate the “greatest ever Wasp” to overcome his ankle problems in time to be considered for selection for the Lions tour, according to the Wasps coach, Shaun Edwards. Having been substituted at half-time against Bristol last weekend, following on from playing no part in England’s Six Nations campaign, Cipriani was told he must look at other players, such as Lawrence Dallaglio, who have overcome adversity.
Cipriani is to have a screw in his ankle removed this summer in the final step in his recuperation from the career-threatening injury he suffered in last season’s play-off win over Bath. Four years ago Dallaglio had to have five screws inserted in his ankle after injuring it on the Lions tour of New Zealand and Edwards yesterday said Cipriani is strong enough to make a comeback as successful as his former captain’s.
“He’s proved in the past he’s a very determined kid and there’s one thing I can guarantee you: if you’re in a professional sport for any long period of time, you are going to have setbacks,” he said. “I don’t think there is any better example of that than the greatest Wasp we ever had in Lawrence Dallaglio.”
Edwards said there was no suggestion of resting the 21-year-old outhalf for the remainder of a season that is in danger of petering out for Wasps, who have been eliminated from the Heineken Cup. There is no chance, therefore, that the surgery will be brought forward.
Ian McGeechan, Wasps’ director of rugby and the Lions head coach, said after Sunday’s 21-19 defeat of Bristol that Cipriani’s substitution had been partly tactical and partly due to his injury, adding that he was still in contention for a Lions place, “along with 150 other possibles from around the British Isles”.
Meanwhile, the Ospreys’ Lee Byrne, who limped off in Wales’ Six Nations defeat to Ireland with a foot injury, remains a major doubt for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster on April 12th.
Ospreys coach Sean Holley said: “It’s not good news. Lee had a scan which confirmed inflammation of the tendon.
“We’re seeking further medical opinion but it’s a hammer blow to lose the best fullback in the world.”
