Edwards keeps Cipriani busy
Homework time: Edwards is making sure Cipriani is kept busy whilst injured
Despite being ruled out of action for at least six months Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani has still got a major role to play in the Guinness Premiership Final.
On the same day that he came to after extensive surgery on his ankle, Cipriani was being given his first task by Wasps Head Coach Shaun Edwards.
Edwards, in a bid to keep Cipriani from being too depressed, has set the 20-year-old the task of analysing Leicester's back-line play ahead of the Guinness Premiership Final on May 31.
Cipriani, who had surgery on his ankle on Sunday at Lister Hospital in London, received the visit from Edwards on Monday and will begin his assignment in the next few days. He will remain in hospital for another 48-hours so that medical staff can keep an eye on him, before he returns home and to work.
"The Wasps medical team is the best I've come across in 25 years of sport," Edwards told The Telegraph.
"Of course Danny is down but he's a competitor and he will fight his way back through this. It's important that he's kept busy and involved, which is why I've asked him to help me do our analysis for the final against Leicester."
Edwards believes Cipriani has the strength of character to cope, although he warns that it will be a hard slog back to the top.
"Danny's bound to have his demons about this from time to time," Edwards added.
"He's gutted at the moment, as any competitor would be. That sort of depression is normal. He's got to expect that. But I also know that the Wasps family will look after him.
"We often speak about the need for fortitude here, about battling through the tough times. We'll be there for Danny. He's not going to be rushed.
"It will take time to come to terms with it and I'm sure Danny will make the final steps towards a full recovery. Many a young player has had a setback and come back the stronger. I'm sure Danny will."
The initial prognosis is that Cipriani will be back in action in six months time, around November, but at this stage that is only a projection. The more realistic target could be that he is back challenging for England's fly-half shirt in time for the 2009 Six Nations, which starts in February.