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Youngster takes aim at Wilko's spot
22/01/2008 7:44:23 AM
PA Sport
Bold seems an understatement to describe Danny Cipriani's comments that he is 'not here to be the number two' in England's Six Nations squad despite the presence of a certain first-five eighth named Jonny Wilkinson.
Cipriani has always set himself bold challenges - when he was 15 it was to make England's 2007 World Cup squad - but the latest is just about as big as they come.
Wilkinson is expected to be a guaranteed starter in the Six Nations Championship and it will take a special talent to oust him from that number 10 jersey.
But Cipriani is seen by many as the man to do it. Wales coach Warren Gatland recently predicted the 20-year-old could even become a bigger superstar than Wilkinson.
Cipriani allows none of that hype to faze him and is instead determined to learn all he can from Wilkinson - but also put the pressure on.
"It is obviously going to be a massive task to oust Jonny, he has done everything in the game but I am not coming here as number two," said Cipriani.
"It is understandable that whenever Jonny has been fit he has started for England because he has done an amazing job."
"Jonny has changed the face of rugby by himself. If I can learn from Jonny that will help me."
"I will give it my best shot to improve. I need to make sure there are no doubts about me as a player."
"If I was to have a chance to start a game I would do that to the best of my ability."
"It is great to hear people like Warren say things like that - but in my eyes I haven't made it yet. I want to get an England cap and then one day be a regular starter."
Wilkinson, who on Monday signed a new two-year contract at Newcastle, was only 18 when Clive Woodward gave him his England debut in 1998.
Cipriani is 20 but has been long tipped as an England international and, at club side Wasps, has been learning at the top end of European rugby.
Last season, he started at fullback in the Heineken Cup final and only missed out on the World Cup squad, and achieving that long-held ambition, when the final cut was made.
This campaign, Cipriani has made the Wasps number 10 jersey his own and is confident he can match the demands of Test rugby.
"No matter if you are 19 or 35 you have to be the general of the side. Imagine trying to boss Lawrence Dallaglio about - but that is what I have had to do," said Cipriani.
"There are World Cup winners throughout the side. I have played in some pretty big games and Josh Lewsey said the Heineken Cup final was the same intensity as international level."
"Being here and being around all the England players is what I have always thought about - but I still won't feel fulfilled until I get that first cap."
"And then I will be striving for more."