Rugby College: Cipriani rekindles his love affair as maverick now devoted to rugby again and ...

By

Sam Peters

PUBLISHED:

21:58, 1 March 2014

|
UPDATED:

01:08, 2 March 2014

Danny Cipriani says he is ‘absolutely in love’ with rugby again and has set his sights on reigniting his international career thanks to a new friendship with Jonny Wilkinson’s former mentor – and after being called by England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

The 26-year-old fly-half has not played for England since 2008 after falling out with former head coach Martin Johnson. A two-year stint in Australia with Melbourne Rebels followed, on a self-imposed exile with the Super 15 franchise.

Focused: Danny Cipriani says he is

Focused: Danny Cipriani says he is

‘absolutely in love’ with rugby again

But after impressing for Sale Sharks in their 21-17 win at Wasps on Saturday, Cipriani said: ‘The New Zealand tour is definitely a focus for me. Stuart has called me and stayed in touch. It’s important I just keep playing well and keep doing what I’m doing.Â

‘Hopefully there’s a chance for me if I keep performing until the end of the season.’

Lancaster has preferred Owen Farrell, Toby Flood and George Ford to Cipriani, a player still considered by many to be the most talented NoÂ 10 of his generation.

But a run of 19 games for new club Sale has put Cipriani firmly back on the England radar.

On Saturday, he hailed motivational trainer Steve Black – a long-term confidant of Wilkinson – for improving his lifestyle.

‘Every club I’ve been at, I’ve had a mentor – whether it be at England

or the national academy, where I had Brian Ashton, or Ian McGeechan and

Shaun Edwards at Wasps,’ said Cipriani.Â

‘It’s nice to have someone like Blacky who I can talk to and who

understands what I’m about. We get each other and get on really well and

he tells me the hard truths when I need to hear them.

Target: Cipriani has set his sights on reigniting his international career

Star: Cipriani is considered to be most talented No 10 of his generation

‘He stays on top of me to make sure I do what I need to do every day, and it’s important to do that.

‘This season has been about getting my confidence back and I feel like I’ve got it now. I’ve worked really hard to get fit and it’s paying off now because I’m playing a full 80 minutes and feeling good about my game.

‘I’ve always been in love with rugby – I feel very privileged to do what I’m doing – but there was a time I wasn’t necessarily enjoying it. I’m deeply in love with it again and I really appreciate the way Sale have treated me. I’ve improved my diet, worked on my time-keeping and feel as if I’m producing the consistent performances people want from me.’

High profile: Cipriani with former girlfriend Kelly Brook

Cipriani burst onto the England scene in 2008 and played seven Tests that season before a string of disciplinary issues – including a training ground bust-up with former attack coach Brian Smith – saw Johnson lose patience with him.

He was impressive again on Saturday, coming on as seventh-minute replacement for concussion victim Nick MacLeod at his former club Wasps. He kicked Sale to victory with three penalties and a conversion as well as a stunning set-up for a try by Jonny Leota.

‘I’m really enjoying my rugby again,’ said Cipriani. ‘We played against a strong Wasps team who are well coached and have a strong defence. But it’s nice to come back to my old club and perform well. It’s that brotherly relationship – you always like to get one back on your brother.’

Celebrity status: Cipriani, Kelly Brook and David Beckham

Help: Cipriani has turned to Jonny Wilkinson

Help: Cipriani has turned to Jonny Wilkinson’s former mentor Steve Black

Cipriani battled his way back from a career-threatening fracture dislocation of his leg playing for Wasps in 2008 and was rushed back into the England squad by Johnson. He was dropped when he struggled to keep pace in the autumn internationals. There was criticism of his unwillingness to play within the team structure, while his high- profile lifestyle off the pitch – including his relationship with model Kelly Brook – was seen as distracting.

He said: ‘I feel like I’m playing well week in and week out now, which is what Stuart asked of me. I’ve been working for more than 240 days with Blacky now and it’s a daily habitual thing.Â

‘I’m in a good place and hopefully it’s showing.’