Danny Cipriani named in Gloucester starting XV for pre-season friendly against the Dragons

Andrew Baldock 17:25 22/08/2018
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  • Danny Cipriani is set to make his Gloucester debut on Thursday – if he avoids a ban.

    Cipriani has been named by Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann in the team for a pre-season friendly against Guinness PRO14 side the Dragons at Kingsholm.

    The Gloucester and England fly-half faces an independent disciplinary panel in Bristol on Wednesday after being charged by the Rugby Football Union with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game”.

    He could face a fine and/or period of suspension if the complaint is upheld.

    Cipriani was last week fined £2,000 by Jersey Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to charges of common assault and resisting arrest following an incident that took place on Gloucester’s pre-season tour.

    Gloucester have selected Cipriani in the number 10 shirt for their final game before beginning their Premiership campaign against Northampton on September 1.

    If he is free to play, it will be the 30-year-old’s first Gloucester appearance following a high-profile summer move from their Premiership rivals Wasps.

    The RFU have pressed ahead with a misconduct complaint despite the Rugby Players’ Association saying it will liaise with them over the charge levied towards Cipriani, believing a £2,000 fine from his club that was announced on Monday “should close the matter”.

    Gloucester are furious with the RFU, claiming the governing body acted only in response to publicity generated by last week’s events.

    And they now hope to field him against the Dragons in a starting XV that also includes fellow new arrival, former Bath wing Matt Banahan.

    Cipriani will face a three-man disciplinary panel at an undisclosed venue in Bristol.

    The hearing comes just two months after he made his first England start for a decade, featuring in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

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