05 September 2023 , 09:05
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Owen Farrell had little interest in entertaining Danny Cipriani's "mafia" accusations and instead wished the one-time England fly-half well with his book.
Former Wasps and Sale star Cipriani has put pen to paper and opened up on several aspects of his life in a new book 'Who Am I?', including his time in the England camp leading up to the 2015 World Cup. Cipriani was pushing for selection but sat behind Farrell and George Ford in the pecking order, eventually missing out.
He has detailed how the two fly-halves were among the leadership group who helped the coaches run the team but likened them to the mafia and claimed they "always appeared to be scheming". Farrell, now the England captain, was quizzed on the comments, but had little to say.
He said: “I have seen what you are talking about. I don’t even know what to say, to be honest. I know Danny has got a book coming out so hopefully that goes well for him.”
Cipriani only amassed 16 caps for England during his career despite making his debut back in 2008. The talented maverick was often his own worst enemy, later heading to Australia to play his rugby before eventually returning and being used sporadically by coaches.
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Farrell meanwhile has become a mainstay with England since making his debut in 2012. His success in the club game with Saracens has marked him out as one of the world's elite 10s, but he will miss the opening games of the tournament, including the potentially defining clash with Argentina.
Owen Farrell and Danny Cipriani have been in England camps together in the pastThe 31-year-old was given a red card in England's second World Cup warm-up game against Wales at Twickenham, which sparked huge controversy. He had the card rescinded and later reinstated on appeal from World Rugby and missed four games, two of which have already been played.
Farrell himself - and the RFU - had been tight-lipped on the situation but the player addressed the tackle on Welshman Taine Basham and conceded he knew he was in hot water when he saw the incident back on the big screen.
He said: “I knew when it came on the big screen. But it is what it is. I have been banned. I accept that I have been banned and I am gutted not to be playing but I am trying to do everything for this team. It [the ban] is what it is… I made a mistake and I got banned for it in the end… I’m not going to sit here and moan about it now. I’m excited for this World Cup to start, I’m excited to see what this team can do and I’ll look forward to being available again.”