Signing Cipriani will help Wasps conquer Europe

Danny Cipriani‘s long-awaited homecoming can help Wasps cement their place back among European rugby’s elite, insists hooker Ashley Johnson.
Cipriani turned down offers from Harlequins, Toulon and a host of other suitors to return to the club where he made his name and Johnson believes the England fly-half’s arrival can turn the Coventry-based outfit into Premiership and Champions Cup winners.
Wasps’ boss Dai Young scotched rumours that star Aussie flanker David Pocock would be joining Cipriani at the Ricoh, but Johnson told The Rugby Paper:  “It shows the ambition of the club and we’ve come a real long way from where we were three years ago.
“Just being linked with some of these big names shows our ambition of where we want to be in future and it’s amazing news that we’ve signed Cips.
“He’s a real quality player and it will really bolster our squad. (Fly-halves) Jimmy Gopperth and Ruaridh Jackson have been fantastic so that battle for places will only make us a better team.”
Johnson, meanwhile, believes Elliot Daly’s elevation to the England ranks is a question of ‘when, not if’. He confirmed his Wasps teammate is chomping at the bit to usurp Jonathan Joseph  in the Red Rose midfield.
Daly, outstanding once again for Wasps in last week’s 64-23 demolition of Saracens, was a surprise omission from England’s opening Six Nations matches against Scotland and Italy and will not feature against Ireland this week either.
Johnson admits he is mystified, saying: “We all think he should be in the team and we really feel for him.
“What more can he do? He’s been brilliant all year and showed it again at Saracens.
“It’s a real mental test for him to keep performing after such a setback, but he’s responded and it’s making him even stronger.
“If Elliot keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll get in. He’s working harder at his game and if we keep doing well as a team, Eddie (Jones) will have to notice him.”
Joseph is not the only England player who should be looking over his shoulder at the threat coming from Wasps says Johnson, who believes No.8 Nathan Hughes is ready to apply heat to Billy Vunipola once he becomes England-qualified.
Hughes completes his three-year residency period this June, and Johnson said: “I’ve played with Nathan and Billy and they’re both quality players, but Nathan is getting better and better and the potential he’s got is never-ending.
“He had a brilliant season last year, but he’s gone to another level now and he’s really going to put some pressure on Billy and the other No.8s once he’s eligible for England.
“No one should feel comfortable in their places and you need that real competitive edge, so it’s good for Billy to be kept on his toes.
“All Nathan can do is play well for Wasps, but once he gets that chance to put his foot in the door I’m sure he’ll want to kick it down.”
Johnson believes talk of titles for Wasps this season is premature – despite last week’s stunning defeat of the Premiership champions.
He added: “The feel-good factor is really high and Saracens was one of those days when everything stuck, but we’re not getting carried away.
“We’re desperate to cement ourselves in the top four but we’re only just past the middle of the league season and there are only a few points between fourth and ninth. We’ve got to work hard and keep putting in performances.”
NEALE HARVEY