Danny Cipriani available for Rugby World Cup after re-bail

Sport360 staff 13:25 04/08/2015
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  • Back in action: Danny Cipriani.

    Danny Cipriani is set to be available for selection in England's World Cup squad after he was re-bailed until November following his arrest on suspicion of drink-driving.

    The Sale fly-half was unhurt in a collision between his Mercedes and a Toyota in the Chelsea area of west London shortly after 5:00am (0400 GMT) on June 1.

    He was given a breath test and taken to a west London police station before being released on bail. A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said at the time: "Police were called at approximately 5.15am on Monday, 1 June to reports of two cars in collision in Imperial Road, SW6.

    "No reports of any injuries. The cars involved were a silver Toyota Prius and a black Mercedes C63. The driver of the Mercedes, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

    "He was taken to a west London police station where he was later released on police bail."

    Britain's Press Association agency said Tuesday a police spokesman had told them that the 27-year-old Cipriani had been re-bailed to a date in mid-November pending further inquiries.

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    That means Cipriani should be available for the World Cup, which ends on October 31. Cipriani — vying for a No 10 spot behind first-choice stand-off George Ford — is still a member of England's World Cup training squad, which will be a cut to 31 for the tournament proper before coach Stuart Lancaster's side face Fiji in the opening match at Twickenham on September 18. Lancaster said on June 23: "(I am) waiting to see what the police investigation will determine.

    "At the moment he's not been charged with anything so as a consequence is in camp and training as everyone else is. "We'll wait and see whether the police will charge or not as the case may be and I'll deal with it as and when it's appropriate."

    Lancaster has already dropped hooker Dylan Hartley, after he received a four-match suspension for headbutting an opponent, and centre Manu Tuilagi, who was convicted of shoving two police officers in a fight, from tournament hosts England's squad for the World Cup.

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