England head coach Stuart Lancaster insists the door to his World Cup squad remains ajar for Danny Cipriani, despite leaving the fly-half out of his plans for the upcoming autumn internationals.
Cipriani earned his first test appearance since 2008 on the tour of New Zealand in the summer but has been overlooked by Lancaster and his coaching staff in their latest squad for fixtures against the All Blacks, South Africa, Samoa and Australia.
The 26-year-old continued to shine for Sale Sharks in the early part of this season too, but Lancaster believes Saracens’ Owen Farrell, Bath’s George Ford and Northampton Saints’ Stephen Myler currently stand as his best options at no.10.
“Backs wise it has been very competitive across the board,” he said. “We have had long debates in every position and ultimately it has come down to two criteria.
“The first is consistency over time and the fact that we judge everyone on having quality in all areas but that stand out in two.
“And the second is probably getting the balance right across that back line, that blend of pace, power and footballing ability.
“Danny [Cipriani] has done well in games this season but at the moment we feel the consistency that Stephen [Myler] has showed and the attacking prowess of George Ford [are the best options] and Owen’s inclusion is merited on what he has done for us in the past.
“World Cups aren’t won by 15 players. Our message to all the players is that there is a long way to go and it is about being in the mix at the end when we are in that camp.”
