England Rugby World Cup squad: Stuart Lancaster is right to ditch Danny Cipriani, says Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu has admitted he feels “sorry” for Danny Cipriani following the fly-half’s axing from England’s World Cup squad today but has fully backed head coach Stuart Lancaster’s decision.

“I feel sorry for Danny as he is a talented footballer,” said Lomu, who set the 1995 World Cup alight when he burst onto the international scene with New Zealand. “He didn’t do anything wrong when he played against France. The man scored a try, had great vision and brought life to the backline when he came on, so it’s tough to see.”

Lancaster’s decision has been questioned by England’s World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward and former England captain Will Carling, but Lomu, 40, said: “I think Mr Lancaster has a plan and if Danny isn’t chosen, then he already has a set team in his mind to win the tournament. Hopefully, he [Lancaster] has been true and honest to himself and can bring the results he is looking for.”