Lipman in, Cipriani out

After a second successive perform-
ance that had all the defensive muscle of a cowering inverte-
brate, Danny Cipriani has been deservedly dropped from England's starting XV to face the All Blacks.

But many will be asking why, after a defensive performance that would embarrass a National League One fly-half, the Wasp is even on the bench.

Cipriani's skills with the ball in hand aren't in question. But his commitment to the tackle is invariably half-hearted. His technique is poor, with a posture that's too upright.

What he needs is a lesson from his predecessor, Mr J Wilkinson, a man who never ducks out of a tackle and who takes down bigger men like a cheetah pulling down a zebra.

Elsewhere, Bath's Michael Lipman has been handed the No 7 shirt for Saturday's match against New Zealand. Let's hope he's able to transfer his rich form in the Guinness Premiership to the barren land of Twickers.

For more news on the England team for Saturday, click here