Lancaster: Path clear for Cipriani

One of the four hookers are set to learn their World Cup dream is over, with the uncapped pair of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George jostling with Rob Webber, who was out of form last season, to supply back-up to first choice Tom Youngs. There hasn’t been much media to do, but that will grow and grow now.

The Yorkshireman confirmed that both players will be given the opportunity to impress over the course of the three World Cup warm-up games England have organised, which start with France at Twickenham on August 15.

“You can do all the conditioning in the world and it does give you a base, but it’s about playing games”.

The 31-man squad who will challenge for the Webb Ellis Cup must be named by August 31 before England step up their preparations by fielding a full-strength team against Ireland on September 5.

“Everyone understands it. Everyone is putting their best foot forward and giving it their best shot”.

“I’m not going to sit on it, there’s still a lot of work to be done”.

“What I would say is that he has been exceptional in training”. There are cuts coming soon, so I’m just enjoying improving on a daily basis. “But we are a long way from deciding that, and there are [warm-up] games to come that will help us to formulate that decision”.

ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster insists fly-half Danny Cipriani has an equal chance of making his final Rugby World Cup squad despite the lingering threat of drink-driving charges.

The Sale Sharks flyhalf earned an England recall in May but then was involved in a collision between his Mercedes and a Toyota in the Chelsea area of west London shortly after 5:00am (0400 GMT) on June 1.

That means Cipriani will be available for the tournament which ends on October 31.

Cipriani was originally bailed until this month but that date has been put back until November while police carry out further enquiries.

He was given a breathalyser test at the scene and taken to a nearby police station before being released on bail.