Cipriani Summer Sale to Young Wasps

Danny Cipriani will leave Sale Sharks and return to his first club Wasps this summer. The 28-year-old had a season left to run on his existing Sale deal, but has chosen to exercise a break clause and return to Wasps, where he made his name, on a two-year contract.

Cipriani left Wasps for the Australian Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels in 2011, but returned to England to join Sale a year later.

The 14-cap England fly-half rejected triple European champions Toulon to sign a contract extension at Sale in February 2015, but will now leave the club a year early this summer

“I’m excited about returning to Wasps next season. It really does feel like coming home,” said Cipriani. “In the professional era, players naturally move clubs more frequently than they used to, but I still feel such a strong connection with Wasps.

“It’s where I learned my trade, alongside incredible players like Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Alex King, Fraser Waters, Josh Lewsey and Paul Sackey. I have such good memories of that period in my life, I feel much more equipped to handle and deal with the expectation that comes when you put on the black and gold jersey

“I feel next season will be the right time for a new challenge, at a club which in my heart will always feel like a second home, where I know I will settle quickly.”

Cipriani broke through at Wasps in 2006 after impressing at England age-grade level, only to court controversy. The England head coach Brian Ashton dropped Cipriani two days before his Test debut in the 2008 Six Nations, after the then 20-year-old was spotted in a nightclub. He eventually made his Test bow later in that campaign.

Though he recovered from a nasty fracture-dislocation of his right ankle to regain his Test spot in the autumn of 2008, he then slipped out of the England picture for six years. A string of disciplinary run-ins and his move to Melbourne left Cipriani out of the Test picture, before he set about rebuilding his reputation at Sale.

Despite being hit by a bus on a night out in Leeds in April 2013, Cipriani was able to fulfil his ambition of returning to England colours. 

Stuart Lancaster took Cipriani on the summer tour to New Zealand in 2014, with the Sale star pushing hard for a regular berth. He featured in the 2015 Six Nations and World Cup warm-up matches, but was omitted from England’s final squad for the autumn’s global showdown.

Wasps won two Heineken Cups, Cipriani featuring in the 2007 European triumph, before the club slipped close to administration. The owner Derek Richardson has guided Wasps to financial security through the Coventry switch, however, leaving Cipriani impressed.

“It’s brilliant to see how the club has rebuilt over the past couple of seasons,” said the fly-half. “The potential of the squad that Dai [Young] has developed is really exciting and I have been impressed by the ambition Wasps have shown since Derek Richardson took over and stabilised things.

“I’m really looking forward to playing alongside guys I started my career with, like James Haskell, Joe Simpson, Christian Wade and Elliot Daly, in a squad that loves to play attacking, expansive rugby.”

Young said he was delighted to be able to bring Cipriani back to Wasps. “We have always been keen for Danny to return to Wasps; everyone knows how talented a player he is and how much his game has developed since he made such an impact for England at a young age.

“As well as his obvious attacking attributes, Danny has matured as a player and controls the game well as a 10.”

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IRFU Thinking Outside the Box

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has said the organisation needs to box clever to compete with their cash-rich English and French rivals ahead of a Six Nations that is "absolutely fundamental" to the resources of the game at every level in the country.

Browne admitted Ireland's performance in the upcoming RBS 6 Nations will determine how much money will be pumped into the game in this country.

Joe Schmidt's side begin their quest for a third Six Nations crown in a row next Sunday against Wales at the Aviva Stadium, and although the IRFU budget for a fourth-placed finish, Browne backed them to, once again, go above and beyond that target.

“What happens over the next six or seven weeks is absolutely fundamental to the resources of the IRFU and fundamentally impacts the resources available for the professional game in the provinces and indeed the amateur game," Browne told RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.

“We sometimes have unrealistic expectations in this country – it’s a feast or a famine."

"Probably over 80 per cent of our income is generated off the back of the national team. It’s the bread and butter competition for the national team. We have a great team and a great coaching staff.

"We budget to come fourth and over the last number of years we've obviously been very fortunate in that we've done better than that.

“We’d certainly hope that we’re going to come in the top half of the competition but when you look at the fixtures and the way they’re aligned, Wales, France and then England, that’s a difficult set of opening fixtures. Having said that I think everyone is up for the challenge.”

Browne admitted the IRFU are facing a huge challenge to keep their brightest stars away from wealthy clubs across the water.

“The money that’s going into the Premiership and the Top 14 is significantly greater than the money that’s going into the Pro12," said Browne. 

"It’s highly unlikely that the Pro12 is ever going to match the money going into the Premiership and the Top 14.

"Of course we’re concerned about what the consequences of that are, which is that there’s more money available in England and France for players. They can have bigger squads, they can buy players from around the world and obviously some of our players are on the shopping lists of some of the French and English clubs.

“We need to be a lot cleverer about how we use our money. We need to make sure our academy systems and pathway is as efficient and effective as possible so we produce more players of a high quality than we have done up to now.

“I have no doubt we have the athletes capable of playing at the level we need them to play at; what we need to do is make sure we have the systems in place to help them realise their potential.

“We sometimes have unrealistic expectations in this country – it’s a feast or a famine. Whilst people may think there’s a famine going on at the moment, it doesn’t take too long to turn that around into a feast."

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Saracens Secure Bonus Against Ulster

Getty Images

Saracens secured a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup with a round of matches still to go following another hugely impressive performance with a thoroughly deserved bonus-point victory at Allianz Park.

Ulster threatened briefly to cause an upset, enjoying an excellent 20-minute spell in the first half, but a failure to take chances, a massively debilitating penalty count, an at-times misfiring set piece proved too big a millstone.

Jared Payne made an eye catching return after almost three months out injured, demonstrating his superb footballing qualities. Stuart McCloskey was good at times but the majority of the stand-out players belonged to the home side with Owen Farrell despite an off-day with his boot (five from nine place-kicks) controlling the game intelligently.

The Saracens pack, all contributing handsomely, dominated their opponents in the tight and once they sorted out the breakdown in most facets of the game. The bench gave them even more momentum.

Ulster didn’t get the losing bonus point they craved but if they can get one next week at home to Oyonnax, then the knock-out stages are still on.

Saracens made a late change to their starting line-up, losing captain and England centre Brad Barritt to injury with hooker Jamie George leading the side in his teammate’s absence. Nick Tompkins came into the replacements.

Ulster will have been disappointed at the interval following such a brilliant start, the old adage about taking opportunities particularly apposite, as Paddy Jackson shoved a 23-metre penalty wide of the far upright and then from a five metre lineout, an underthrow from captain Rory Best gave Robbie Diack little chance of securing possession.

In fairness to the flanker he had a justifiable complaint that Michael Rhodes grabbed one of his arms while he was in the air and the visitors could reasonably have been awarded a penalty. In not taking those chances, they allowed Saracens to muster a second wind, and they finished the half very strongly when number eight Billy Vunipola was driven over from a close-in lineout maul.

The Irish province will also rue fragility in the set piece, three turnovers at the lineout and a couple of scrum penalties, the second of which saw Wiehahn Herbst, the transgressor, helped from the field with a leg injury.

Owen Farrell drove Ulster back deep into the visitors’ 22, replacement Ricky Lutton was penalised for collapsing the first maul but after going to the corner again the home side survived Ulster’s initial shunt in the maul, to regroup and force their way over. Farrell’s touchline conversion have Saracens a 13-7 halftime lead.

The England outhalf won’t have been happy with only kicking three out of five from the tee during those opening 40-minutes, missing two penalty chances. He did kick an early penalty before Ulster responded with a gorgeous try.

Jackson identified a six-on three overlap out wide, the excellent Stuart McCloskey made a 35-metre break and although Ulster were thwarted in the opposite corner, they moved the ball wide again and the returning Jared Payne, produced a beautifully weighted grubber-kick that Luke Marshall ran onto to touch down. Jackson’s conversion from the touchline was exquisitely struck.

Farrell missed a couple of penalties and although Saracens dominated territorially, Ulster snaffled three turnovers at the breakdown, to relieve the pressure at various stages of the half. Best’s decision to go to the corner from a 12-metre penalty was underlined by the throw, and ultimately a turnover. Jackson missed a penalty and then the momentum shifted again.

Farrell’s penalty and Billy Vunipola’s try ensured that the home side’s dressing room was the happier. Ulster coach Les Kiss will have impressed upon his charges the need for improved discipline, sharper line speed and the need to be more accurate in the set piece.

McCloskey was getting Ulster over the gain-line and Craig Gilroy and Payne, offered glimpses that they were capable of causing Saracens problems. The visitors refused to be cowed by their set piece issues prior to the interval, with Jackson nudging a penalty into the corner four minutes after the re-start. On foot of a penalty advantage, the Ulster outhalf went for a cross-kick, but when play was called back bisected the posts from the tee.

At 13-10 Ulster were back in the contest but again their discipline let them down, Lutton penalised at a ruck; Farrell made no mistake from long range, facilitated by an upright. The visitors conceded another penalty soon after the re-start that gave Saracens field position once again and after battering away for 90 seconds on the threshold of the Ulster 22, Farrell made a decisive intervention.

The England outhalf dummied a pass, glided outside Robbie Diack, and concluded his angled run with a try scoring pass for Duncan Taylor; the only disappointment that he couldn’t tag on the conversion. Saracens had made a definitive break on the scoreboard at 21-10.

The English club confirmed at much on 58-minutes when secondrow Maro Itoje, one of eight Saracens players called into the England squad, squeezed over from a metre, after the home side had splintered Ulster’s resistance, driving a lineout maul 25-metres.

Farrell missed the conversion but Ulster’s day got appreciably worse when first Gilroy received a yellow card - accumulation of penalties conceded - and then replacement hooker Schalk Britz profited from his foot-speed and brittle defence to score his side’s bonus point, fourth try. As both sides emptied the bench, the only matter to be settled was the final margin on the scoreboard.

Replacement Ian Humphreys showed decent stamina to intercept a pass and run 70-metres to score under the posts, converting his lung bursting sally but unfortunately it was mere window dressing.

Scoring sequence

2 mins: Farrell penalty, 3-0; 4: Marshall try, Jackson conversion, 3-7; 19: Farrell penalty, 6-7; 36: B Vunipola try, Farrell conversion, 13-7. Halftime: 13-7. 44: Jackson penalty, 13-10; 48: Farrell penalty, 16-10; 52: Taylor try, 21-10; 58: Itoje try, 26-10; 62: Britz try, Farrell conversion, 33-10; 70: Humphreys try, Humphreys conversion, 33-17;

Saracens: 

B Ransom; C Ashton, M Bosch, D Taylor, C Wyles; O Farrell, R Wigglesworth; M Vunipolo, J George (capt), P Du Plessis; M Itoje, G Kruis; M Rhodes, W Frazer, B Vunipola.

Replacements: S Brits for George 55 mins; J Figallo for Du Plessis 55 mins; N de Kock for Wigglesworth 63 mins; J Wray for Fraser 63 mins; N Tompkins for Bosch 71 mins.

Ulster:

J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar; K McCall, R Best (capt), W Herbst; A O’Connor, F van der Merwe; R Diack, S Reidy, R Wilson.

Replacements: R Lutton for Herbst 35 mins; R Herring for Best 61 mins; I Humphreys for Jackson 61 mins; C Ross for van der Merwe 66 mins; R Scholes for Marshall 71 mins; L stevenson for O’Connor 75 mins; C Black for McCall 75 mins; P Marshall for Pienaar 75 mins.

Referee: J Garces (Fra)

Yellow card: C Gilroy (Ulster) 61 minutes

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Hartley Handed Eight Week Ban

England hooker Dylan Hartley has been handed an eight-week ban for biting the finger of Ireland's Stephen Ferris.

The Northampton skipper will not be able to play until 14 May, meaning he is free to take part in England's June tour to South Africa if selected.

Ireland flanker Ferris drew attention to the incident during England's 30-9 Six Nations victory on 17 March, but it was not spotted by referee Nigel Owens.

"I am disappointed by the result," said Hartley, who may decide to appeal.

"I will wait for the written judgment as to how the panel came to their conclusion.

"I now have to put it behind me and focus on supporting Saints in training and off the field."

Hartley has been ruled out of the rest of the regular domestic season but he could return if Saints reach the Premiership final on 26 May.

The lowest suspension for biting is 12 weeks, with a maximum sanction of four years.

But an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee decided Hartley's case was worthy of a lesser punishment after Tuesday's hearing.

"The offence merited a low entry point in the International Rugby Board's table of sanctions and allowed mitigation of four weeks," said a statement released by the committee.

The panel listened to evidence from both Hartley and Ferris, who spoke via videolink, while England forwards coach Graham Rowntree and Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder also represented their player.

Rowntree said: "It is unfortunate for Dylan and Northampton, especially as he was in good form during the Six Nations, and he has developed as a player and a leader.

"However, we are looking forward to him being available for the tour to South Africa."

Mallinder added: "We are disappointed that Dylan has been suspended, especially at a crucial part of the season."

It is the second time Hartley has received a lengthy suspension from the game. He received a six-month ban for eye gouging while playing for Northampton against Wasps in 2007.

Dylan Hartley Cited by 6 Nations

England hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited for an alleged biting incident during the Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday.

The Irish flanker Stephen Ferris drew attention to it during the first half of the match, but the referee Nigel Owens did not see anything himself.

The lowest suspension for biting is 12 weeks, the top entry level 24 weeks, with a maximum sanction of four years.

The player's hearing will be held by an independent disciplinary committee.

A Six Nations statement confirmed he was cited under the law regarding "acts contrary to good sportsmanship".

Hartley had a six-month ban for eye gouging while playing for Northampton against Wasps in 2007.

The Rugby Football Union issued a brief statement following Hartley's citing, saying: "The England management have been formally notified about the citing of Dylan Hartley and will not be making any comment until the resolution of the disciplinary hearing."