Danny Cipriani fumes at England coach Eddie Jones and reveals ‘he’s never said two words’ to exiled star
DANNY CIPRIANI has slammed Eddie Jones after reading about himself in the England boss' autobiography.
Aussie Jones brought up Cipriani's arrest last year - weeks after he made what could be his final appearance in a Red Rose shirt in a win over South Africa.
He wrote: “When a player consistently does stupid things, you don’t expect him to change much. Players make choices and they have to live with the consequences.”
Cipriani, 32, was shown excerpts by pals and fumed at the criticism as he claims Jones has shied away from speaking to him directly.
The talented fly-half : “He said more about me in a book than he’s ever said to me. That’s all I know.
“He’s never said two words to me but I found out everything I need to know from him through a book.
“Everyone’s a mirror. If you truly believe that [I have not changed], how have you changed or adapted over that period of time? I might have said the same thing about other people until you realise that everyone has the ability to change.
“I made mistakes as a kid and suddenly a character gets created. I’m not someone who has a big ego but people keep trying to label me like that over and over again.
“Maybe I have played up to it at different points of my life, but I have always been fighting against that because of how I believe I am.”
Cipriani was called up to England's World Cup training camp but released after just over a week.
And the Gloucester ace admitted it was tough to watch his country play without him in Japan after taking an extended stay in California to get over the disappointment.
On the break, he added: “It was important. From a kid to an adult, it’s been rejection for me. How do I face that?
"Do I keep facing it in the same way and have the same stresses and worries or is there a breaking point?
“It’s hard when you feel like you can make a difference. It was a bit of a tough time but in the last couple of weeks things have really fallen into place for me. It’s like a penny dropped. It all depends on the intention behind something.
“My intention to play for England might have been for self, for ego, or to prove people wrong. I don’t know fully until I let that go, which, in the last couple of weeks, I have.
“When I say let it go, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to do it but I’m in a much better frame of mind about it.”
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Cipriani may yet be asked to join up with England's Six Nations squad but admits he would face a tough choice over whether to answer the call.
He explained: “If he calls me, great, I’ll have a great conversation with him. There is something you can learn from everyone.
“It would be a conversation because if it’s not going to be a thriving, enjoyable environment for both of us then why would I put him under that pressure and vice versa?
"I would love to be involved and representing my country, but it would have to be if he feels I would make the group better. That’s always been my intention.”