From the touchlines: Danny's the boy

Lawrence Dallaglio has made a timely call for his Wasps team-mate Danny Cipriani to be included in England's starting line-up, not in place of Jonny Wilkinson at 10 but at full-back.

Dallaglio's suggestion makes a lot of sense, especially as England's next game on 8 March is at Murrayfield, where Scotland will no doubt launch their usual barrage of high bombs.

Ian Balshaw has been shaky under the high ball in this season's Six Nations campaign, and he appears to have lost some of the zip needed to launch rapid counter-attacks from full-back.

As Dallaglio says, Cipriani has that X-factor and running ability which might make the Scots think twice about relying too much on their usual kicking game.

With Wilkinson back to somewhere near his best following the introduction of Richard Wigglesworth at scrum-half, there is no way that Cipriani could come in at fly-half.

But by switching the 20-year-old to 15, Brian Ashton can add a new dimension to England's game, at the same time giving one of his rising stars the chance to shine.

So what do you think? Should Cipriani replace Balshaw? Or is it a gamble not worth taking? We want to hear your views...

 

Comments

[BRIAN]

balshaws not played well for last 2 games lawrence knows what he is doing good idea

[Jenny]

Good idea to try Danny at full back - we need to build our team with youngsters now, not wait till the World Cup is near. He has speed and enthusiasm.

[John]

Ian Balshaw is a liability..and everyone knows it...the Italians, the Scots, the Irish, the French, the Welsh......and Brian Ashton.

[Ash]

Try danny at 15

y has ashton not put lewsey(best fullback for england) or abendanon in??

balshaw is 2 fraile and shaky at fullback he demonstrated that against wales,italy n france

[rich]

why not try vainokolo at full back?
he's good under the high ball, he's solid in the tackle and it'll get him involved more.
thats what id do if i was ashton, but im welsh, so im more than happy to see balshaw running round like a pedo in a playground every time a gary owen comes his way.