England recall Wilkinson but no room for Cipriani

England boss Martin Johnson has made some big big calls in his latest England elite squad but has sent mixed messages in the process.

Still Johnson has decided there is no place for the one-time wonderkid of English rugby, Danny Cipriani, in his 32-man elite squad deciding that despite his immeasurable talents he must still stew in the Saxons squad. In short, it's a ridiculous call and Cipriani deserves a step-up to the senior squad - at least for training - if he is to become the international playmaker so many expect him to be.

Johnson has made another statement of intent by leaving out a host of key England players who have opted to move to French club rugby this season. There is no place for James Haskell or Tom Palmer among others, perhaps a good call to dissuade other Englishmen from chasing lucrative rugby contracts across the Channel in the future.

But then he has confused the whole issue by recalling Jonny Wilkinson, who has just started a bumper deal at French side Toulon, and Riki Flutey, who was also be playing in France this season. And on top of that, Andy Goode - very much the flavour of the month earlier in 2009 for Johnson's England squad - has been unceremoniously dumped altogether.

It's not entirely clear what sort of message is trying to get across here. Leaving out Cipriani is an error and Johnson either needs to give the thumbs-up to all the England players playing out in France if they're fit and have the form - which both Haskell and Palmer do - rather than merely select a couple of his personal favourites.

What do you make of Johnson's England squad? Does Cipriani deserve a recall, would Wilkinson make your England squad and do the French-based players deserve a better chance. Post your comments below...

Comments

[rugby pundit]

Lee Mears is not an international class hooker!This was highlighted in the 1st test against the springboks, as Vickery was made to pay for Mears inadequacies. It was noticable when Mears went off the scrum improved.In the subsequent tests the beast was tamed with the assistance of a bigger better hooker

[Task]

obv merv the serv is going on the bandwagon on whats hes heard, Cip is not even starting for the saxons and his attitude need adjustment which is just what Johnson is doing by knocking him down a peg or two, completely the right call

my only problem would be Fluetly and Tindall together because they both carry a simlair playing style, boshing it up, then again that wouldnt be so bad the kicking would be reduced and the attacking running rugby would increase

sheridan
mears
vickery
shaw
borthwick
croft
easter
armitage/ rees

ellis
wilko / flood
flutey
tindal / tait
cueto
monye
armitage

[Merv the swerv]

Surely there's room for Cipriani and Wilkinson, the greatest talents in our game. Have Cipriani at No.10 and Wilko outside. That would do the job brilliantly.

[Stu Collier]

The make-up of the squad is interesting and I don't feel like I have a lot of problems with what Johnno's done. The Cipriani thing is far and people should just calm down. The guy's not played a game since being overlooked for the summer squad so he needs to prove himself for Wasps first. And as for Wilkinson, ok that might seem a tad generous but he's his own worst critic and will have spoken to Johnno and said I'm back to my best. Wilko's just someone you have to trust. After all, he's not let down Johnno and England before now has he.

[TagRugby]

Good call to leave out Cipriani
Bad call to bring in Wilkinson
Good call to leave out the French boys
Two out of three ain't bad

[Jez]

I think Johnson has said from day one that he'll pick people on merit. Goode obviously hasn't been good enough, Cipriani hasn't showed any great improvements and so fair's fair. With Wilkinson he's taken a punt but the lad's proved time and time again that he's truly world class so there can't be too many arguments there and his experience will be great for the players around him. As for the French debut, he would have looked like an idiot if he'd left out Riki Flutey who really is world class.

[Ricky Dover]

We would all like to know what is really behind Cipriani's problems with the England management. Unfortunately he gives an air of arrogance and it would appear that he has few real friends in the game. As for Jim in Penrith - well who is he to argue with two of the top men in English sport? Good choice let him grow up and earn his colours - thank god Andy Goode is in France.

[Steve]

Better to have the Michael Owen character (who can at least still score goals) in the team than the "Glen Hoddle" player that Cipriani is. Wilkinson has pedigree, experience and a dead-shot boot. He had one bad game for England and got dropped - it was a disgrace. Cipriani has had one good game for England and that is all. He has also had clearance kicks charged down that led to tries against us on more than one occasion. The kid was a liabilty. Come back Cipriani when you've grown up son. Hurrah for Johnson for finally having the common sense to pick the best all-round stand-off we still have in this country. he may not be quite what he was before 2003, but he's still a damned sight better than anything else we have as an option at this moment in time.

[Task]

True, but hes alot better than Goode, who shouldnt be there anyways, Cip wont be involved in the next world cup unless he performs something amazing in the next 2 seasons

Right decision to leave him out, his attitude as stunk and not even being first choice Fly Half for Saxons

[Jim, Penrith]

What's the point of calling up Wilkinson? He's the Michael Owen of rugby - well and truly past it as far as England is concerned. It's time for Johnno to look to the future. Cipriani should be in.