Lancaster handed fresh World Cup headache by Cipriani arrest
ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster will conduct his side’s World Cup preparations burdened by the uncertainty surrounding Sale fly-half Danny Cipriani, who was arrested on suspicion of drink driving just hours after starring against the Barbarians on Sunday.
Cipriani was breathalysed after his Mercedes was involved in a collision in the early hours of Monday morning and must now return to a West London police station in August where he will be either charged, bailed further or released with no action taken.
The 27-year-old’s situation will only become clearer a matter of weeks at the most before England’s first World Cup warm-up match against France at Twickenham on 15 August.
Lancaster has adopted a hard line with hooker Dylan Hartley and centre Manu Tuilagi following disciplinary violations, while rugby union bosses have said they will await the conclusion of police investigations before making any decision on Cipriani.