Cipriani can learn from gridiron, says coach Callard

Published on Monday 5 January 2009 22:22

ENGLAND kicking coach Jon Callard believes Danny Cipriani needs to look towards American Football in a bid to eradicate the charge-downs which are blighting his game.

On Sunday, Cipriani, 21, had two attempted clearances blocked against Harlequins, the second of which was charged down by Nick Evans and led to Wasps conceding a five metre-scrum and ultimately a penalty try.

Wasps won the game 24-18, but coach Shaun Edwards described it as a "real issue" and the trend is a growing concern for both club and country.

In seven England Tests, Cipriani has seen Italy, the Pacific Islanders and South Africa all score tries after successfully charging down his kicks.

England manager Martin Johnson warned after the November internationals that Cipriani will start being targeted unless the fault is rectified.

Edwards criticised Cipriani for being too slow in getting the ball away against Quins – he took three steps allowing Evans time to close – and for not getting enough trajectory on his kick.

Callard, England's technical kicking expert, wants Cipriani to adopt the technique of the specialist kickers in the NFL.

"When you receive the ball on the back foot and under severe pressure, you need to have a snap and then to get the ball away within one pace, like they do in American Football," said Callard. "Some players like two or three steps to get into their kicking stride. If your confidence is sapped somewhat and you are struggling for a good connection, you would probably like to have a little bit more time on the ball to make a good contact. That could be an issue at the moment. "The problems he had with England during the November internationals were partly because we were on the back foot and partly the time on the ball. It can be rectified. It is something I would certainly like to work with Danny on sorting out."

Callard expects Cipriani's confidence has not only been affected by the disappointing November international campaign, but also the gruesome fractured dislocation of the right ankle he suffered in May.

"From my dealings with Danny during the autumn internationals, he did exceptionally well to get back from that ankle injury and that will have an impact on his kicking. It is a fact," Callard continued. "The joint needs time to warm up, he needs to get it fluid so he can get the sort of flexibility required for his plant foot."

Callard, who coaches with the senior England team and the RFU's national academy, spends his weeks travelling around the country to work with kickers at all the Guinness Premiership clubs. The situation with Cipriani is complicated by the fact the Wasps fly-half works privately on his kicking with Dave Alred. He is unlikely to come under Callard's tutelage until England reconvene next month.

Cipriani, though, is not the only charge-down culprit at Wasps this season. Eoin Reddan and Riki Flutey were both guilty in the 41-11 Heineken Cup defeat at Leinster.

"Charge-downs have been a nightmare for us this season," said Edwards. "It is a real issue. We have had so many. Against Leinster two or three of the tries came directly from charge-downs. Things are happening too slowly from the kicker and he is also not kicking the ball high enough."

Meanwhile, Leicester could lose the services of head coach Heyneke Meyer only months after appointing him as Marcelo Loffreda's successor. Meyer is currently on compassionate leave in South Africa, where his in-laws are seriously ill.

Forwards coach Richard Cockerill oversaw Tigers' 24-22 Guinness Premiership victory against Bath on Sunday – and there appears to be no immediate sign of Meyer returning.

Leicester face midlands rivals Northampton this weekend, followed by critical Heineken Cup appointments with Treviso and the Ospreys later this month.

Meyer, who masterminded the Pretoria-based Blue Bulls' Super 14 title triumph in 2007, replaced Loffreda last summer.

Tigers chairman Peter Tom said: "Both of Heyneke's wife's parents are seriously ill, and he has gone back to assess the whole situation. We are happy to give him all the time he needs, and I don't think you can speculate."