After two shockers for England, Cipriani is dropped

Oh dear. English rugby’s golden boy doesn’t look so shiny and handsome now, does he? After two horror shows at Twickenham, against Australia and South Africa, Martin Johnson has taken action and dropped his fly-half for this Saturday’s game against New Zealand. Toby Flood replaces Cipriani.

At 21, Cipriani is young enough to bounce back - and let’s not forget, as many pundits seem to have done, he’s only just returned from a potentially career-threatening ankle injury. Maybe he was rushed back too soon.

In the back row, Bath’s Michael Lipman comes in on the open-side for Tom Rees (who we thought had a decent game against the Saffers), while London Irish lock Nick Kennedy - who was unlucky to be dropped after his debut against the Pacific Islanders - replaces Tom Palmer, who was just as bad as Cipriani against South Africa.

England’s problem is that these are the best men England have. They need time, confidence, and a few easier games than this scary triple whammy of Tri Nations tests.

But is Johnson right to protect Cipriani from the All Blacks? Leave us a comment, why dontcha… (or just vote below)