Cipriani had trial at Reading!

[toppy]

Rugby union star Danny Cipriani is ready to abandon the sport and try to forge a career in football. The fly-half, who had trials with Queens Park Rangers and Reading as a teenager, has been approached by Fulham with a view to having a trial next month.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... t-Ham.html

[bakerlou]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

[Row Z Royal]

'greed. Just look at Shane Long.

[rg6royal]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

Unless they're an all-round athlete.

[Plymouth_Royal]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

Not true. Gary neville could have played cricket professionally and was already playing for england juniors. He wa also playing football for manchester utd's youth setup and choose to pursue football. can be done

[ScottishRoyal]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

Not true. Gary neville could have played cricket professionally and was already playing for england juniors. He wa also playing football for manchester utd's youth setup and choose to pursue football. can be done

Also add Ian Botham and Daley Thompson to the list of athletes that competed in different sports.

Anyway, sorry to be a pedant, but this should be in general sport, it's got nothing to do with Reading rumours.

[bobbybottler]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

Not true. Gary neville could have played cricket professionally and was already playing for england juniors. He wa also playing football for manchester utd's youth setup and choose to pursue football. can be done

You mean Phil Neville.

[Ian Royal]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

Not true. Gary neville could have played cricket professionally and was already playing for england juniors. He wa also playing football for manchester utd's youth setup and choose to pursue football. can be done

So because a few people have done it everyone can? I know that's not what you're saying... but bakerlou is only saying being good at rugby doesn't automatically mean he'll be good at football.

[URZZZZZZZZ]

I can't believe people are saying this won't work. Look at Dwayne Chambers in American Football

[Sun Tzu]

Cipriani is a very talented all round athlete. As a teenager he had options to turn pro at THREE sports. As well as football and rugby he was a very good cricketer and was linked with either Surrey or Middlesex IIRC.

He was at the Oratory a year below Alex Pearce I think so local to us.

Can't see he'd be able to switch sports at this stage though, would be a huge challenge !

It's obvioulsy rare for someone to be a top class athelete at more than one sport but that's largely because there simply isn;t the chance to do it. There used to be a number of football / cricket pros (Neale, Balderstone) but the seasons overlap now and I suspect most clubs wouldn;t allow it.

[Hoop Blah]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

I think the key bit of information in the original post isn't that he's a rugby player but that he had trials as a kid and may be in line for another now.

He's not just a random rugby player looking to switch over, he's a very good footballer looking to get back into the game...apparently at least.

I doubt anything will come of it though.

[Geekins]

Also our very own Siggy is a multi-sport player. Didn't he just win a golf tournerment?

[Kitson12]

Does anyone actually give a crap that he had a trial with us? I certainly don't.

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Does anyone actually give a crap that he had a trial with us? I certainly don't.

You felt it necessary to tell the World though.

[Millsy]

also on the bbc's site

it doesn't really mean much, skill at one sport doesn't equal skill at another

Not true. Gary neville could have played cricket professionally and was already playing for england juniors. He wa also playing football for manchester utd's youth setup and choose to pursue football. can be done

So because a few people have done it everyone can? I know that's not what you're saying... but bakerlou is only saying being good at rugby doesn't automatically mean he'll be good at football.

Spot on.

Rugnby players have nowhere near the athleticism of footballers. We run on average 50% more than they do per game.

And needless to say other than the ability to throw and catch technique doesn't even come into it.

I'd guess just being strong and fairly athletic will give him a chance in the lower leagues but that's it.

Unless by some fluke he has always been a keen footballer too.

[Sun Tzu]

I'd back most rugby players to knock spots off almost any footballer in terms of athleticism. Especially if you avoid defining it in terms of 'running around a lot' !!!

Your average fly half covers much more ground than most goalies for a start.....

As for technique. Having watched England recently I wasn't aware there was ANY technique involved. How hard can it be to put one pass together then give the ball to the other team, or all run one way as the opposition run the other !!

[Row Z Royal]

And let's face it, England have made a name for themselves in recent years for passing it sideways around the back line, getting nowhere and then thumping it into touch.