Danny Cipriani left a chilly Salford on Saturday to mull over a future which probably does not involve an immediate return to Test rugby but a possible a move to Toulon instead, leaving behind two players with vastly different experiences of choosing to play their rugby in France.
Nick Abendanon, who left Bath in the summer because England showed no interest, was wreathed in smiles after being at the heart of a Clermont win which, if not a classic, makes next Sunday’s game with Saracens a make or break affair, while Jonathan Davies was just happy to get on the field.
Davies, the former captain of the Scarlets, a Lion and once the first name on any Wales teamsheet, admitted that a combination of injury and competition for places at Clermont Auvergne have made starting in big games something of a rarity. “It’s pretty cut throat. I probably didn’t respect how difficult it was going to be going out to France to play what with the language thing,” said Davies after a solid if not inspiring 70 minutes against Sale.
The 26-year-old with 43 Wales caps behind him had not expected to figure in Saturday’s pool game, but when Napolioni Nalaga pulled out and then Aurélien Rougerie suffered an injury, Davies moved from being travelling reserve on to the bench and then on to the field in the 10th minute.
“You have to make the best of your opportunities when you get them and hopefully I can be involved next week in some way,” said Davies after confessing that the two-year contract was not going as planned.
First he missed the start of the season, then he picked up a couple of hamstring injuries as well as damaging his back and shoulder and all the time he seemed behind former captain Rougerie, the France international Wesley Fofana and then the former All Black Benson Stanley in the Clermont centre pecking order.
“It’s taken time to get some decent form,” said Davies who has the option of a third year in the Massif Central. “It hasn’t been ideal. I’ve picked up some bumps and niggles.
“I missed the start of the season and when I came back I picked up a hamstring injury, so it would be nice to get a run of games. I like to think i’m improving, going in the right direction and I have to be patient. When I get game time I have to ensure that I’m up to speed as quickly as possible and show what I can do.”
Davies is certain to be involved when the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, announces his Six Nations squad Tuesday and it would be a huge surprise if he did not open the championship against England at Cardiff in 19 days. Cipriani will learn his fate a day later when England’s head coach, Stuart Lancaster, announces his squad, confirming that Cipriani is still the fourth choice No10 in the England setup and pencilled in to play Ireland’s second XV a week before the championship starts.
Sale do not expect an immediate response from their fly-half, but their director of rugby, Steve Diamond, believes England rejection will lead to a move when Cipriani’s three-year contract ends in the summer.
Sale Haley; Addison (Macleod, 34), Leota, Tuitupou, Cueto (Arscott 22); Cipriani, Cusiter (Cliff, 75); Harrison (Lewis-Roberts, 70), Jones (Taylor, 57), Cobilas, Mills (Easter, 57), Hines, Braid (capt), Seymour (Lund, 65), Beaumont.
Try Penalty. Con Cipriani. Pens Cipriani 2.
Clermont Abendanon; Nakaitaci, Stanley, Fofana, Rougerie (Davies 10); Lopez, Parra; Chaume (Debaty, 60), Kayser, Zirakashvili, Cudmore (Jacquet, 60), Vahaamahina, Chouly (capt), Bonnaire, Lee.
Try Lee. Con Lopez. Pens Lopez 4. Sin bin Fofana 45, Cudmore 50. Referee I Davies (Wal). Att 6,108.
