Finally trusting his own instincts

INTERVIEW JEREMY STAUNTON: John O'Sullivantalks to the talented former Garryowen and Munster outhalf who took the opportunity last Friday to show he can still deliver on the big stage

TONIGHT DANNY Cipriani will complete a remarkable rehabilitation from a fractured ankle dislocation sustained against Bath last May when he lines out against the same English west country team. The initial prognosis for the 20-year-old was that the horrendous injury would keep him sidelined until November. He has returned six weeks early.

Cipriani will play 40 minutes and then make way for Ireland's Jeremy Staunton, the latter pencilled in to start Wasps' third league match in eight days against Gloucester on Saturday.

Staunton is delighted to see the precociously gifted Cipriani recover from serious injury but he does add the good natured rider: "his recovery was a bit too swift for my liking".

It's undoubtedly inopportune for the 28-year-old former Garryowen and Munster player, now in his fourth season at Wasps. Having suffered confidence-wise during some of that spell and seeing it affect his game, Staunton approached pre-season training determined to be true to himself, trusting his instincts on the pitch rather than trying to slavishly follow a coaching blueprint.

His attitude and work ethic impressed Ian McGeechan and Shaun Edwards who offered him a one-year extension to his contract, one that he didn't believe would be forthcoming at one point.

Wasps lost every pre-season match and to compound matters their first three league matches.

Staunton, who had managed some game-time starting from the bench, was suddenly selected to start for last Friday's trip to face the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

He laughed: "Well it wouldn't be the first option you'd go for in terms of a start. It's a difficult place to go and win and the Leicester match is one that Wasps always want to win. The rivalry is massive.

"Towards the end of last season I'd started to think about life after rugby, especially if I wasn't re-signed. I was struggling a little bit but at the same time was determined to really give it everything and see what happened."

Staunton kicked five penalties, two drop goals and a conversion for 23 of his team's points in a 28-19 victory and a first win of the season.

Wasps' other points, and their only try came from another Irishman, 24-year-old hooker Damien Varley. Staunton explained: "I got so many texts from a St Munchin's College and Garryowen background.

"Damien and myself went to the same school and obviously played for the same club. He came over on a six-week trial during the summer and signed a one-year deal on the morning of the Leicester game.

"It was a pretty impressive debut to come off the bench and score a try. It was a typical effort from him burrowing over from close range.

"Wasps have been impressed with his attitude and quality and his progress just shows that there are other ways forward in the professional game rather than simply going the academy route."

Staunton excelled in the manner in which he ran the game, unconcerned about whether his team's tactics would be considered boring.

"When you've lost your first three matches you're not going to be choosy. It was quite boring but it was effective. Sometimes you have to change tactics that aren't working. The coaches and players really appreciated that win."

His performance was not lost on the man who will replace him against Bath - well for half a game - tonight.

Cipriani admitted: "I just want to try to be a positive influence on the team and get them moving forward as much as I can.

"Jeremy (Staunton) played fantastically well last time out so I've got my work cut out here at Wasps to get back at fly-half."

Cipriani knows Staunton will start against Gloucester on Saturday and after that it'll be a straight fight to decide who gets the starting jersey when Wasps host Castres in the opening round of Heineken Cup matches the following weekend.

Staunton has spent most of his career listening to what others want of him. He's more confident now to trust his instincts.

"The coaches were quite complimentary after the Leicester game and it is a good psychological boost. I needed a big game, needed to prove that I could perform. I have been making match squads this season which is a good start and I know I need regular game time. I need to be able to carry on from last Friday and hopefully I will be able to do that."

Jeremy Staunton

DOB:May 7th, 1980

Age:28

Club:London Wasps

Position:Outhalf

Born:Limerick

Height:1.83m

Weight:95 kg

Educatedat St Munchin's College and University College Limerick

Ireland 'A' debut:against Italy A in April 99

Ireland debut:November 2001, against Samoa at Lansdowne Road