Cipriani recall unlikely as Johnson stays away

SIX NATIONS: DANNY CIPRIANI, controversially omitted from England's Six Nations side by Martin Johnson, kicked the three penalties which enabled Wasps to pull off a 9-5 English Premiership victory against Northampton yesterday

But Cipriani was eclipsed by Northampton’s exciting young England hopeful Ben Foden, who scored the only try of the match.

Foden, left out by Johnson for last weekend’s defeat by Wales after making his England debut as a replacement in the previous week’s Twickenham victory over Italy, took a pass from outhalf Stephen Myler to burst over in the left corner in the 55th minute.

Cipriani has featured in almost every game during Wasps’ recent revival but, even so, his chances of vaulting back into the England team would appear non-existent, given Johnson’s decision not to attend this match ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations trip to Dublin.

Scotland’s campaign received a boost with Northampton prop Euan Murray, who missed their opening defeats by Wales and France because of a rib injury, proving his fitness for Saturday’s clash with Italy at Murrayfield. Murray played the full 80 minutes and Northampton coach Jim Mallinder said: “He’s come through fine.”

Stade Français boss Ewen McKenzie has vowed he will ensure the England ambitions of James Haskell and Tom Palmer are not jeopardised by their much-publicised cross-channel switch to the Paris club. McKenzie said: “I have met both the guys and I was impressed with them. We probably had an hour-and-a-half meeting, just talking about rugby, their responsibilities, lots of things. In amongst their concerns was their desire to play for England and I have said we definitely want to help them with that.”

Outhalf Lionel Beauxis is an injury concern for France ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales in Paris. Beauxis, the only recognised 10 in the squad, injured his back playing for Stade Français on Friday.

There had been calls for Toulouse outhalf David Skrela to return as a cover for outhalf and centre, but the out-of-form Benoit Baby was retained instead.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland is likely to retain the pack that helped account for England when he names his Paris-bound team today. Ospreys wing Shane Williams is poised for a recall after missing the England game because of an ankle injury suffered against Scotland in Wales’ tournament opener. And Gatland must also decide on a role – or otherwise – for centre Gavin Henson.

The injury-plagued Ospreys star has not played Test rugby since Wales were crowned Six Nations champions and Grand Slam winners by defeating France in Cardiff last March.

He was chosen for the Scotland game a fortnight ago, but a calf muscle strain ruined his hopes, while he also missed Wales’ 23-15 success against England.

Henson looks unlikely to separate an in-form midfield pairing of Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin, yet a bench role cannot be ruled out.