Wilkinson or ciprani???

Question

wilkinson been benched for cipreani, do you reckon thats right??

Answer 1

ciprani any day

Answer 2

I think you'll find they're both injured at the minute.

But I don't think we should pin our hopes on just one. We have two of the most talented stand offs in world Rugby that have two vastly different styles.

Wilkinson is an immense tactical kicker and an uncompromising defender. He should be used against physical sides like New Zealand and South Africa.

Cipriani is a maestro on the pitch, he reads the game with a maturity that belies his tender years and could be the creative force we've been looking for.

Use them both in different situations.

Answer 3

no i dont really. Johnny has helped us win all sorts of games and trophies, and has proved a massive  asset to the team.

i know he can be easily injured, but surely the gains he can provide outweigh the risks??

he's also a much better tackler

Answer 4

Dont know much about English rugby, but if you want to win the next world cup in 2011. Invest in Ciprani. As good as Wilkinson was, his days will be numbered. And if he is getting injured at his age now, imagine if he was in his early thirties, when world cup comes around. So invest in the future - Ciprani.

Answer 5

it is good for the future that cipriani is playing. look wat clive wood did with wilkinson, playing him when he was in early 20s and won the 2003 RWC. so play cipriani more...

Answer 6

Johnny Wilkinson

Answer 7

Personally I think Cipriani is better used at fullback. Gives him more of a chance to use his pace and he has played well for Wasps there in the past. Not sure if he does really read the game that well. But I'll grant he's a much more natural rugby player than Wilkinson. Wilkinson has done a lot of great things for England with the boot, and he's rock-solid in defence, but the backline will never ever get moving smoothly with him at 10. Hodgson was far better at getting the ball wide and having the outsides flying onto it but obviously his defence is brittle and attack not even so great any more.

Barkley is probably the best mix of all three. But he's been dropped.

Answer 8

Personally I'd play them both and play Johnny at 2nd or inside centre.  I think Johnny would be an awesome 2nd 5/8.  He's physically strong, great defender and adds an option of 2 kickers (as we see alot of teams move up quickly these days).  why not he seems to great a player at this point to write him off and to leave out.  I can only see it adding strenght to the backline from what I've seen of the current England Squad who are touring NZ.