Cipriani or Burns?

Cipriani is in the form of his life. Defensively toughened up and psychologically stable for the first time in his career. Been playing consistently well all season and seems to have been put on the straight and narrow by Jonny's former mentor Steve Black.

Burns has been coming back into form in recent weeks, but he's been inconsistent all season. Has shown glimpses of brilliance in attack, but is targeted for his weak defence. His main advantage is his knowledge of the England play book.

I'd g for Cipriani but I think Lancaster would go for Burns.

Based on what we've seen this season, it has to be Cips.

However, Burns' year at Gloucester is behind him, and he's got 3 weeks in camp. Will the shackles come off? It's quite possible that he could find some form in the England environment. This is the first England setup in some years where players are going back to their clubs in better form than they left.

Cipriani with team orders. He will be massively targetted and needs to ensure he doesn't go out to try and cement his future. If he plays the way he has been in his first test back in what 6 years? He should push Farrell. Massive ask but he is potentially a massive player

I'd go with Cips. Although it'd be great for Burns to turn it all around on this tour I just can't see him changing that much in 3 weeks!

Let Cips have the first game, let Burns train hard and if he's looking more like his old self give him the second match to show what he can do. Farrel can always come off the bench if we need it.

Also how long do we give Cips or Burns? Farrel was lucky that when he was capped he had close to no competititon, so he got a year or two of constant starts to become the player he is now. Do we pick one of the other two and give them a lot of game time no matter what, or chop and change and hope someone stands out.

Voted Cips, but think Lancaster will go with Burns. He's pretty loyal and is likely to give the bloke who has been part of the set up the opportunity. Wouldn't be too unhappy with that as Burns does have the talent, he's just got a bit lost this year. While I don't have any stats, the downside is that he's not a great kicker and would guess his % this year is worse than Cips. Always the option of Twelvetrees kicking if he starts.

I think Gloucester on the whole have been woeful...and that wont have helped Burns.

I have said on other threads a good 3 week stint in the England camp could do him wonders.

But in all fairness....Cipriani has been consistantly good all season, showed maturity and should be given a chance.

Cipriani starts with Burns on the bench.

I'd agree with Cipriani. Fair play to him he's kept his form going through the entire season. Burns has recovered a little but not enough to start.

GeordieFalcon wrote:But in all fairness....Cipriani has been consistantly good all season, showed maturity and should be given a chance.

I do wonder just how good Cips has been. He has had some rave write ups in the press, but whenever I have seen him he has been decent - but no more.

After the first Test, Myler must also be in the mix.

I'd agree with cips. Wait for burns to have some time in the Leicester setup.

I prefer Burns as a long term solution, but on the basis of form this year it has to be Cipriani. I am not his biggest fan and as a Sale fan I think some of the press praise he has received is over the top, but it is really now or never for him. Hopefully, his disciplinary issues are behind him and he deserves a second chance. In fact I hope that Lancaster allows Farrell the summer off after the Lions tour last year, he has to tired and their is the risk of burnout. Give Cipriani and Burns/Myler a run at the 3 New Zealand tests and lets see how they fare.

I'd pick Burns with Cipriani on the bench. Care will be 9 (duh). I'd have Twelvetrees at 12 if fit, so it's just who plays inside him.

For me Burns has been around the England set-up longer so will be more familiar with the calls, system and the way we want to play. He would have trained with Care over the years and plays regularly with Twelvetrees. With Twelvetrees currently fighting his way back from injury, I'm not sure how much training he'll be able to do and therefore I don't think Cipriani will have much time to build up his relationship with Twelvetrees.

I'd definitely be trying to bring Farrell in for the second test, and then if I thought he'd need it I'd rest Farrell for the Autumn series - when we have Ford back fit.

As an avid proponent of both players, as an alternative and at times better option to Farrell, I am obviously glad to see them being given some sort of opportunity. Ofcourse the context will need to be appreciated in that circumstances are not ideal however those are the breaks and its for the players to to take them. Cipriani to start, Burns to win it from the bench.

Interesting call above for leaving Farrell at home for a rest after a Lions tour and long season, however if you were to follow that logic through then you would have to rest a number of the squad and I don't think that really works with where this side is in its development.