Don't recall flaky Cipriani if Flood's out, says Guscott

Down and out: Martin Johnson is being encouraged not to give Danny Cipriani a recall

13 April 2012

Jeremy Guscott has warned against England recalling "flaky" Danny Cipriani for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland.

Martin Johnson is waiting on the results of a scan on Toby Flood's injured shoulder after the Leicester No10 was forced off just before half-time in yesterday's emphatic 34-10 win over France.

Flood suffered a partial dislocation of his right shoulder and faces a race against time to be fit for England's final Six Nations game of the season.

Andy Goode failed to impose himself as a second-half replacement at Twickenham, meaning the door is again open for Cipriani to resume his stuttering international career.

But Guscott does not think the London Wasps player is ready for England, insisting he has not fully recovered from the ankle dislocation he suffered last May and questioned his defensive capabilities.

"I think Martin Johnson needs someone sensible and solid at 10," said the former England centre.

"There will be a huge debate as to whether Danny Cipriani should come back in but I think he's a bit flaky at the moment. I don't think he is the player he was 12 months ago and he can't tackle either."

The situation is further complicated after Wasps coach Tony Hanks admitted Cipriani had "played through the pain barrier" in Saturday's Guinness Premiership defeat to Gloucester.

Hanks said: "Danny's problem was his ankle that he injured last year. There are times when it just becomes really sore. He played through quite a bit of pain."

Gloucester playmaker Olly Barkley would be in line for a return should Flood and Cipriani fail to convince Johnson they are fit to face Frank Hadden's team.

England suffered a humiliating defeat at Murrayfield last year the week after pulling off a shock victory over France in Paris and No8 Nick Easter is determined not to let the euphoria of yesterday's win affect preparation.

He said: "Scotland are a good side. We went up there a bit over confident last year and they shut us out. We know exactly what they are capable of."

France, meanwhile, today named an unchanged squad to face Italy despite their mauling in England.

Head coach Marc Lievremont said: "We thought this squad could win at Twickenham and we still think they can win in Rome."

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Don't recall flaky Cipriani if Flood's out, says Guscott

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