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Cipriani's threat to put Wilkinson to the sword

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Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Pablo tackles the question of who should wear the Number 10 jersey for England as Wasps' Danny Cipriani offers a serious challenge to Jonny Wilkinson

To my complete and utter bewilderment there has been an impassioned discussion about who should wear the England No 10 jersey for the match against Scotland on 8 March 2008. The epicentre of this nonsense has emanated from the armchair and has nothing to do with rugby intelligence.

Jonathan Peter Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is the best fly half we have ever had, let alone currently. This charismatic man is the ultimate professional. He works harder than any other sportsman does whether in training, in the gym or on the pitch itself. He is self-sacrificing and is the most modest icon in sport, a true ambassador!

He deserves and must keep the number 10 jersey for the remainder of the Six Nations. Although his form is not at its peak, there is not an alternative to him. The gap between him and Danny Cipriani is still considerable and I am afraid the youngster must wait his chance.

Johnny Wilkinson's career has been carved in rugby history. Despite a catalogue of horrific injuries, his mental toughness has proved a revelation! Who else could have recovered from those despairing circumstances? He lost 1,169 days after winning the 2003 World Cup for England of which he was an integral member, he also crucially contributed in last year's World Cup.

Since then he became the highest point-scorer in the history of the World Cup. He is the first English player (and second overall) to score 1000 test points. The Newcastle star edged ever closer to Neil Jenkins's international points record of 1,090 in the process with his 29th international drop goal which is also a world record. He is also a British Lion and has 47 Test points in the 5 Lions' Test Matches he has started. Who has done more in the game than he has? Oh and don't forget he is still only 28 years old. See link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Wilkinson

There has been a change in Johnny Wilkinson. He is more relaxed and some consider this a negative! He openly admits that he does not care about public opinion and gets irritated by those 'energy sappers' who speculate over his position. He admits to 'misfiring' by his own high standards, especially with his kicking. Some blame for the second half performance against Wales was attributed to him and that was partly true but this man does not hide and he won the next game for England against Italy.

Despite that he is still our match winner, our point scorer. His superb display against France (kicking 14 points in a vital 24-13 victory in Paris) silenced many detractors but in this transitional stage for English Rugby, we not only need him in the side but at the helm. I would like to see him taking a more responsible role with leadership and direction. To drop him would be the equivalent of dropping Wayne Rooney! Latest prices for the RBS Six Nations 2008 with Betfair are: Wales [2.24] France [3.05] England [7.8] Ireland [10]. If you fancy Wales for the Triple Crown they are [2.42] with Ireland [4.7]. No winner is [2.46].

Danny Cipriani's time will come and I see him adapting into the set up this year before making a real push for a start next year. He is restless and determined to get started but he does not have the credentials at the moment to improve England. His gifting of a try to Italy emphasised what I thought regarding this greenhorn apprentice! It was a dreadful decision to bring him on with the game not won!

Cipriani is the most talked about player on the rugby circuit and Brian Ashton is a huge fan. He has been in tremendous form for Wasps this season and deserves all the plaudits but he must continue his form. He is clearly growing and developing but must not be distracted. He would be well advised to avoid the tabloids, that would not help his rugby career! See Gavin Henson. http://betting.betfair.com/rugby-union/six-nations/churchs-man-bet-on-gavin-henso-221107.html

What will assist Cipriani and hinder Wilkinson are the club sides that they play for. It is much easier to excel at a successful club such as London Wasps than strugglers Newcastle Falcons. Interestingly Newcastle entertain Wasps this evening (kick off 8pm) and it will be interesting to see if Cipriani can outperform Wilkinson. He really is in the shop window tonight! Betfair prices show Newcastle at [2.34] with Wasps [1.75]. Some Guinness Premiership prices include: Leicester Tigers [2.92] Gloucester Rugby [2.96] with London Wasps [10] and Newcastle Falcons [120].

I like the look of a Wasps and Tigers double at those odds...