Head coach Stuart Lancaster has begun the process of honing England into a cohesive unit capable of winning the Rugby World Cup, but the initial focus is on the absentees and the potential decision required over Danny Cipriani.
England began their summer training camp yesterday without centre Manu Tuilagi and hooker Dylan Hartley, who will miss the tournament after Lancaster responded decisively to recent lapses in judgement.
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Wing David Strettle has withdrawn from the squad ahead of a switch from Saracens to Clermont Auvergne, while Cipriani could join the absentee list.
The Sale fly-half was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence earlier this month and must wait until early August to discover the outcome of a police investigation.
For the time being he remains part of Lancaster’s initial 50-man squad for the World Cup, which will be cut to 31 ahead of the opening match with Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
Lancaster said: “(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 appropriate.”
It’s been a great week – our aim was to be a cohesive outfit! Really enjoyed pulling on the England shirt with these boys!
— DannyCipriani (@DannyCipriani87) May 31, 2015
Lancaster expects Cipriani to be able to go to the United States for the forthcoming high-altitude training camp in Denver, Colorado.
“My understanding is he went to the States anyway after the incident, he flew the following day, so he’s been to the States already,” Lancaster said.
Strettle is not alongside Cipriani in the squad, having told Lancaster of his wish to concentrate on his switch to France’s Top 14.
“He rang me towards the end of last week,” Lancaster added. “He’d been to France, he considered his options and alternatives and decided to withdraw from the camp. Obviously I was disappointed.
“I was really (surprised), but ultimately it’s his decision. I’ve got to respect his decision.”
Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni has replaced him and will leave his break in Fiji imminently to join up with England, while Wasps’ Christian Wade remains in the selectors’ minds.
“Whilst he’ll miss week one of the camp, he won’t miss anything he can’t catch up on,” Lancaster said.
England yesterday held a group meeting in which Lancaster reminded his players of their responsibilities, having ruled he would not consider Tuilagi and Hartley to off and on-field indiscretions.
