Cipriani: 'I can't fill Jonny's shoes'

Danny Cipriani will not try to emulate Jonny Wilkinson when he plays at fly-half for England against Ireland.

England coach Brian Ashton is looking for his backs to improve the team after a stale performance against Scotland.

Ashton admits one player cannot make the difference alone and Cipriani does not believe he can bring the same qualities to the team as Wilkinson.

Cipriani said: "No one can replace Jonny Wilkinson as a person or as a player. What he is doing has been fantastic.

"Jonny has congratulated me, and I know he will give me as much support from the bench as I've given him.

"I am going to talk to him all week. There is no better a person to talk to, and he has told me if there is anything I want just ask."

Last week, Cipriani was dropped from the team to play Scotland because he had broken a team curfew, but Ashton insists that is now forgotten.

Ashton said: Our relationship is no different to two weeks ago.

"I do feel he has developed and matured as a player over the last 12 months, and I think he is right now to set foot on an international field in a starting XV.

"What we need is a back division launch, but that is not a one-person job.

"It depends on the eight guys up-front, the guy at nine and the players outside as well. You can't put that responsibility on one player's shoulders."

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