England axe Danny but he's still got Kelly's eye

JUST weeks ago, Danny Cipriani seemed to have the world at his feet. Lauded as one of the brightest stars in British rugby, usurper of the saintly Johnny Wilkinson, the 21-year-old prodigy was pronounced fit and ready to resume his England career in time for the important autumn internationals.

What is more, after an injury-enforced lay-off, he had acquired a new girlfriend, the stunning model and actress Kelly Brook; he emerged sheepishly from her flat, she was seen cheering him on from the stands. Other, lesser, men, could only look on and weep.

But while his relationship with Brook appeared to go from strength to strength, his on-field form plummeted and today, after poor performances against Australia and South Africa, he was dropped from the England starting line up for this Saturday's match against the formidable All Blacks. His place is taken by Toby Flood, although Cipriani remains on the bench.

Martin Johnson, the England manager, stressed that "Cipriani has a long future in the international game" but acknowledged that he was "disappointed".

Inevitably, there will be speculation that Cipriani's drop in form has been linked his lifestyle - he has been seen out and about the capital's restaurants and nightspots with his new squeeze. Ahead of the South Africa match, Jake White, the former South African coach, said: "I've read more about Danny Cipriani in the West End than I have of him on the rugby field." He also compared him with the more discreet Wilkinson.

On Saturday night, only hours after the match in which England suffered a record 6-42 defeat by South Africa, and Cipriani was booed as he left the field, he was reported to have paid several thousand pounds for a nightclub champagne celebration for Brooks's 29th birthday, although he did not drink himself.

However, others might suggest his loss in form dates from the incident in which he was knocked out cold by fellow Wasp Josh Lewsey during training at the start of the season.

But it is not the first time Cipriani's taste for nightclubs has got him into trouble. After making his England debut in the Six Nations competition earlier this year, he was dropped by coach Brian Ashton after being seen leaving a nightclub in the early hours a couple of days before a crucial match. Reinstated for the Ireland game, Cipriani turned in a stunning performance.