Here’s how Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani’s stats from the Gallagher Premiership return compared to Eddie Jones favoured George Ford and Marcus Smith.
Tries & Assists
The Gloucester fly-half picked up to two assists as the Cherry & Whites thumped Worcester 44-14 at Sixways. The first saw him without hesitating float a perfectly weighted pass out onto the left wing for Ollie Thorley to collect at pace to dot over for a try.
Verdict: Danny Cipriani
Cipriani loop passes and Jake Polledri offloads 🤩
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) August 15, 2020
The new normal not so different for @gloucesterrugby ❤️🤍#RugbyRestart pic.twitter.com/PwUWEccCsP
Kicking success
Smith kept his composure to slot 11 points as Quins overcame Sale Sharks 16-11 at the Stoop on Friday night, which was the standout display in an error-strewn affair.. Meanwhile, Cipriani left kicking duties to Billy Twelvetrees and George Ford only scored six points via a penalty and a rare drop-goal in their 26-13 defeat against Exeter.
Verdict: Marcus Smith
Attacking
Smith didn’t make much impact with the ball in hand, making just one carry throughout the Premiership opener. Ford didn’t do much better with two carries while Cipriani was always a willing runner for the Cherry & Whites, making 13 carries and making two offloads.
Verdict: Danny Cipriani
Defence
Ford was the busiest of the trio defensively, making seven tackles, while Cipriani and Smith made just two each.
Verdict: George Ford
VERDICT: Danny Cipriani
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DANNY CIPRIANI FACTS
Here’s 10 things you didn’t know about Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani that might surprise you…
1. Sporting talent
A keen all-round sportsman, Cipriani played junior football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered youth terms by Reading. He also played schoolboy cricket for Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Cipriani was invited to join Surrey County Cricket Club as a batsman. He also played squash at county level
2. First rugby club
He first played club rugby at Rosslyn Park in Roehampton, where he developed his passion for the game.
3. Heritage
The fly-half is mixed-race; his father is Afro-Trinidadian with some Italian heritage while his mother is English. Cipriani’s father, Jay, and his mother, Anne, separated soon after his birth. Although Jay returned to Trinidad, Cipriani was able to remain in contact with him.