Rugby Union: Coach defends Cipriani

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), March 13, 2008

ENGLAND defence coach Mike Ford believes Danny Cipriani will relish the heavy-duty work in Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash against Ireland at Twickenham.

By replacing fly-half icon Jonny Wilkinson for England's tournament finale, Cipriani also takes over from arguably the toughest-tackling number 10 in Test rugby.

Ford, though, has no concerns about the 20- year-old's ability and appetite to mix it defensively.

He said: "At times he might switch, but 80 or 90% of the time he will be defending at 10.

"The key thing for me is that he fronts up in that channel.

"With Shane Horgan playing there, we know where Ireland are going to come. Danny is going to relish it and take it on.

"Danny wants to be a pretty special player in international rugby, and if he wants to do that, he cannot ignore his defensive game."

Cipriani will be the key to England ending a poor Six Nations campaign in successful fashion.

Wilkinson, meanwhile, has to content himself with a place on the bench.