Danny Cipriani’s resurgent club form has earned him an England recall at long last but the fly-half is under no illusions as to how tough a job he faces to displace Owen Farrell.
Still only 22, Farrell has been England’s starting No.10 for two seasons now and toured Australia with the British & Irish Lions last summer, coming off the bench in the decisive third Test.
Cipriani meanwhile has been in international exile since his last cap all the way back in 2008 but with Sale Sharks returning to form this season, the 26-year-old has been called up by Stuart Lancaster to England's end-of-season training squad.
But while his own revival has been satisfying, Cipriani admits he has also been impressed with the advances Farrell has made to his own game.
“I think Owen’s had a great season, the consistency he’s shown, the way he has brought the runners on and his kicking game, it’s all been positive for him,” said Cipriani, speaking at the launch of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Policy.
“It’s shown in the England performances and the way he’s performed, whenever he’s gone back to his club he’s also played well and that’s the sign of a good player who adapts between different systems – he’s shown that.
“I don’t compare myself with him, he’s great at what he does and if you can adapt to one team to another and still drive the team forward that’s credit to him.
“So respect for that, but for me it’s just about looking after a different team compared to that team. I don’t think
it’s harder, it’s just different. There are different ways to skin a cat as it were.”
