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Eddie Jones issues warning to Danny Cipriani over his off-field behaviour as ‘everything impacts on selection’

England fly-half admitted charges of common assault and resisting arrest during Gloucester's pre-season tour of Jersey and could find his place in Jones’ squad impacted as a result

Damian Spellman

Thursday 06 September 2018 09:23 BST

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Rugby star Danny Cipriani fined for Jersey bar assault

England head coach Eddie Jones has warned Danny Cipriani he cannot continue getting into trouble if he wants to keep his World Cup dream alive.

Jones has not closed the door on the 30-year-old fly-half despite seeing him hit the headlines for the wrong reasons once again last month when he was fined £2,000 after admitting charges of common assault and resisting arrest during Gloucester's pre-season tour of Jersey.

Cipriani, whose career to date has been punctuated by off-the-field issues, was also charged by the Rugby Football Union with "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game", and although no further punishment was meted out, he has been warned his chances are fast running out.

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

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1/30South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

<b>South Africa:</b> Warrick Gelant – 5 out of 10

Shaky start on his return in place of Willie le Roux as he threw a debateable pass that was picked off by Slade before kicking straight into touch. Struggled after the break and shifted out to the wing when Le Roux came on.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

S'busiso Nkosi – 5 out of 10

Created a good chance when he finally saw the ball, but Kriel did him no favours. Chip and chase just bounced kindly for May to run clear. Replaced by Le Roux midway through the second half.

Reuters

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Jessie Kriel – 7 out of 10

Butchered what should have been a two-on-one chance as he closed the space on Nkosi and allowed Brown to mark them both, but ran hard with the ball and aware enough to score the opening try.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Andre Esterhuizen – 7 out of 10

Missed tackle on May early on, but brought good line speed in defence and triggered the first-half counter attack.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Aphiwe Dyantyi – 6 out of 10

Made an important interception when England were attacking in the Springboks half, but always looked to cut in with the ball rather than take on his opposite man.

EPA

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Elton Jantjies – 4 out of 10

Poor start kicking-wise as he missed his first effort at goal, but from hand he was much more accurate to pin England back. Bounced off by Brown in a big collision and finally got South Africa off the mark with a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Looked bereft of confidence after break, and predictably hauled off soon after the restart.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Faf de Klerk – 6 out of 10

Powerful tackle on Hughes brought the crowd to its feet and it was his defensive effort that really stood out as opposed to his attacking genius. Struggled to impose attacking-wise though.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Tendai Mtawarira – 6 out of 10

Met his match physically as he was stopped immediately in his first two carries, but solid in the scrum

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Chiliboy Ralepelle – 5 out of 10

Guilty of conceding both the first-half penalties that led to points for Farrell to take the lead into half-time. Replaced just three minutes into the second half by the returning Schalk Brits.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Frans Malherbe – 6 out of 10

Disrupted England ball to win a penalty at the breakdown in the first half and was a rock in the scrum.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

RG Snyman – 6 out of 10

Ne good carry in the second half but didn’t have the same impact that we’ve seen in the other two matches.

EPA

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Franco Mostert – 7 out of 10

Bone-shaking run over Slade that paved the way for Kriel’s try and was South Africa’s best carrier by a country mile.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Siya Kolisi – 6 out of 10

His threat was nullified at the breakdown as England enjoyed more front-foot ball. Replaced by Sikhumbuzo Notshe with 10 minutes left.

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7 out of 10

Seemed to be everywhere in defence and it was a really impressive display from the blindside flanker. Had to move to lock in the second half that prevented his impact on the game, but carried well.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Duane Vermeulen – 7 out of 10

Another impressive display from the No 8. His carrying was emphatic and he secured a brilliant turnover when he pinched the ball off Launchbury in the second half. Looked to tweak his hamstring in the act of it though.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

<b>England:</b> Elliot Daly – 6 out of 10

Committed rugby sin No 1 when he kicked a penalty dead to cost England precious territory and possession. Missed a 45m penalty on the angle that was a tricky kick, and had a few nice flashes with the ball.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Jonny May – 8 out of 10

What a tour for the Leicester Tigers wing. He maintained his run of a try in each Test as he scored the crucial try that sealed the win for England as his incredible pace ensured he reached the ball before the dead ball line, and made a flying start to the game as he carried repeatedly for good gain. Brilliant working back after a knock-on prevented a Springbok try as he ran behind his posts and kicked clear. England’s man of the tour by a long way.

Reuters

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Henry Slade – 6 out of 10

Pinched an interception in the first half and defensively he was going well until Mostert trucked over him. Attacking-wise, he is yet to seize his chance.

Reuters

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Owen Farrell – 7 out of 10

Missed a drop-goal that was a bit of a risk from 45m out, but from the tee he was at his exemplary best as he kicked 20 points that effectively won the match.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Mike Brown – 7 out of 10

Strong both with and without the ball as he made a powerful carry to brush off Jantjies, and defensively he was smart to close down Kriel’s two-on-one. Another player who has really stood out on this tour.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Danny Cipriani – 7 out of 10

Largely starved of creative ball to work with, but his moment to shine finally came and he took it. Spotting May out wide, Cipriani squeezed a kick through two Springbok defenders as he was hit that allowed May to touch down.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10

A better performance this week as his box-kick accuracy was improved, but still half-a-yard off the pace.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Joe Marler – 7 out of 10

Much was made of Mako Vunipola’s absence but Marler seamlessly slotted in. Very strong in the scrum – not least when he helped shove the South African pack into reverse in the dying minutes – and it was a very good 80 minute showing from the Harlequin.

AP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Jamie George – 7 out of 10

Another who produced his best performance in Cape Town. Excellent at the lineout bar one blemish, and was strong in the scrum and the loose.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Kyle Sinckler – 7 out of 10

Caught off his feet early on, but carried to great effect in the first half and won a penalty in the scrum after the restart. Replaced by Harry Williams midway through the second half with both players pushing Dan Cole hard for the Test spot.

EPA

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Joe Launchbury – 7 out of 10

Got through a shed-load of carrying and his return to the pack from injury has really helped reinforce the pack.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Maro Itoje – 7 out of 10

Good lineout presence as he competed in the air well. A bit overkeen at the start as he started driving in the lineout before Vermeulen returned to earth.

Getty

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Chris Robshaw – 8 out of 10

Made the most of his return to the side with Brad Shields ill. Got over the ball more than he has done in the last year and made a real nuisance of himself. A few nice carry and offloads too.

Getty

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Tom Curry – 7 out of 10

Along with Robshaw he caused real problems for the Springboks at the breakdown, securing a penalty after the break that led to three points for Farrell.

Getty

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Nathan Hughes – 6 out of 10

Probably England’s most disappointing player as he struggled to make an impact. Shoved backwards by De Klerk in what should’ve been a one-way contest and it wasn’t the only time he was stopped in his tracks either. One good offload to Brown out the tackle, but needs to do a lot more to permanently oust Billy Vunipola.

Getty

Asked if continued misdemeanours would impact upon his international career, Jones said: "Everything impacts, everything impacts on selection.

"We will make a decision on whether he's going to add value to the team. If a guy gets in trouble all the time, you've got to have second thoughts about it."

Jones revealed he had spoken to Cipriani, who started his first game for England in a decade in South Africa this summer, this week and would judge him on his conduct within the England camp.

He said: "I have chatted to him. I went down to Gloucester on Monday and had a quick chat with him.

"He was punished by his club, punished by whatever happened with the RFU. He's now back playing and we'll look at him in terms of how well he plays.

"We never close the door on anyone. Everyone makes mistakes. He was very contrite afterwards, realised he's done the wrong thing and we move on from that now. He's just got to put himself in the selection mix."

Cipriani has not been shut out of the England squad yet (PA)

Jones was speaking at St James' Park in Newcastle, where his team will play Italy on September 6 next year in one of four warm-up Tests before heading to Japan for the World Cup.

The Australian maintains he is "100 per cent" confident he has everything in place and insists "30.5" berths in his 31-man squad are effectively filled.

Cipriani was found guilty of misconduct by the RFU (PA)

Jones, whose side have lost five of its last six Tests, including a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa, said: "We're in a great position. Couldn't be in a better position."

Asked why he believed that, he added: "Because we know we can win. We know the sort of rugby we can play where we can win.

"We have found out where we are weak and we are weak in certain areas. We've got 12 months to fix it and we know we can fix it, and that puts us in a great place for the World Cup. You couldn't plan it better.

Cipriani has been given a firm warning by England head coach Jones (Getty)

"No-one ever likes to lose Tests, but the reality is those Tests taught us a hell of a lot - a hell of a lot - about how to prepare, and I am still working out how to get the best out of the players, that is the reality."

PA

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