In an exclusive interview with 888sport former England hooker and World Cup hero, Steve Thompson has gone in hard on Danny Cipriani following his headline-grabbing omission from Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

"But he just fell apart. The pressure came on and he just fell apart. That was his time to stand up and say, ‘look, this is why I should be picked’. And he didn’t.”

“Don’t get me wrong, in games, he does so many things right. But at an international level, it’s the things you do wrong and sometimes his basics just aren’t there.

"Then he tries to do something special and that’s what teams prepare for. South Africa and New Zealand would just keep going at him until he made those mistakes and that’s 14 points.” 

The over-looking of Cipriani was one of several tough decisions made by coach Eddie Jones and the veteran Australian must now stand or fall by his selections as England prepare for this week’s Pool C opener against Tonga.

As one of the tournament favourites, English hopes are high that its rugby stars can replicate their cricketing cousins who earlier this summer conquered the world and it helps that they have a second row packed with quality.

It helps too that in Jones they possess a coach with a fine pedigree in the competition, yet Thompson believes far too much is made of this.

“People talk about his achievements, but he hasn’t won that much really. He’s also known for doing runners when the going gets tough. I thought he was going to do a runner when the wheels fell off with England.”

“England have had a few good wins in the warm-ups so that’s got him back up and he’s back to his arrogant sense isn’t he. He is an amazing coach, you can see that. The players love him.

"I just hope he can get the best out of the players and things go well for him because if they go badly, he just seems to fall apart. People may say he’s taking the pressure off the players, but I just see him as a pantomime character at times.”

The straight-talking 41-year-old knows what it takes to win rugby’s ultimate prize after doing so in 2003 and though he admits the present team’s firepower can ‘destroy’ anyone on their day he has serious concerns about the mental frailty within the squad that cost them so dear earlier this year.

"They get themselves in winning positions where they should mentally get over the line but then they don’t use enough mental energy. That’s the hardest thing to do in a World Cup – keep yourselves mentally tough.”

Worse yet, Thompson insists the issue could arise again because there are too few within the set-up capable of ensuring that it doesn’t.

“We were very lucky in my day with the leaders we had. All teams these days talk about their great leaders, but England have Vunipola now who is an amazing player but he’s probably not the best talker. Yet they have forced him into being a leader.

"Ben Youngs is the same. He’s not a leader but a maverick and he’s one of the problems at times when the games are going off a bit. He seems to lose the plot a bit. And he’s supposed to be one of the leaders? That’s a worry for me.”

Less of a worry, indeed a cause for great optimism lies in the presence of Jamie George; a player who inhabits the same role that Thompson made his own during nearly a decade for Northampton and England.

Encouragingly, there are a number of exceptional hookers at this World Cup and England might just have one that is unsurpassed.

“Jamie George is the best hooker in the world. Everybody talks about Coles, but he’s been injured for a long while. When he’s fully fit, he’s the best but he hasn’t been fit for ages. Jamie George is a phenomenal player.

"He’s not the toughest but nowadays you don’t need tough hookers. The game has totally changed now and what he’s got makes him the complete hooker.”

Another star who has long gained Thompson’s admiration is a centre who many think could be a stand-out performer in the weeks to come.

Born and raised in Hertfordshire, George will compete alongside Plymouth-raised Slade in Japan and between the two of them, New Zealander Will Heinz will no doubt play his part.

The latter’s inclusion has come at the expense of 84-cap Danny Care and is a result of the ever-controversial residency rule that allows players to be picked for a country after living there for three years.

If you think Thompson sits on the fence with this contentious issue you obviously haven’t been paying attention so far.

“I think it’s a joke that they’re doing that. You’ve got the Toner one in Ireland where the bloke (South Africa-born Jean Kleyn) has qualified four days before the first warm-up game.

"It’s just a joke. You can’t just come in like it’s a club side. This is an international side where you should be proud to play for your country.

"I still think it’s a bit of a joke that Eddie Jones is the coach of England. By all means, bring specialist coaches underneath but the actual main coach of England – the biggest union in the world – should be an Englishman.”

Cipriani. Care. There are some big names absent at this World Cup and the omitted Mike Brown can be included in that.

This week the Harlequins full-back claimed he was still the best available in his position after an altercation with a team-mate saw him left out. Thompson however disagrees.

“His years are numbered and when you look at how England want to play and score tries, he’s not a massive try-scorer. He’s quite a selfish player at times.

"He has shown that by the way he’s gone off the pitch. It’s the whole package you need for a World Cup and he hasn’t got that.”

Assessing which team has the ‘whole package’ brings us to a prediction that possibly doesn’t surprise, but an outside bet that maybe does.

And with that the extremely likeable, very funny, and refreshingly opinionated Steve Thompson departs, leaving us with the firm instruction to back the former.

"France could be a massive team as well. They have got rid of some of their big-name players, like Bastareaud who I didn’t think should be in there anyway.

"This is the first time they get to train as a squad rather than going back and forth to their clubs. So, for me, France could be the big outsider.”

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alastair Grant / AP Photo*

The last Classic of the season, The St Leger, may have heralded the end of the flat season for many but it is far from over just yet with a plethora of big races still looming on the horizon.

Let’s take a look at some of the action that is coming up in the next couple of weeks:

Mill Reef Stakes (21/09)

After Enable, Mums Tipple recorded one of the most talked about displays at the York Ebor meeting when scoring by 11 lengths in the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes , prompting the BHA handicapper Graeme Smith to say that the colt would be “a box office draw wherever he turns up next”. That race may well be this one.

Mums Tipple’s winning debut at Ascot has produced three other subsequent winners including the fourth-placed Mr Kiki.

His trainer Michael Bell said: “The Mill Reef Stakes is very much on the agenda for Mr Kiki. His Ascot form looks very solid. He was only beaten three necks by Mums Tipple and he forfeited a bit of ground coming out of the stalls.

“Obviously Mums Tipple looked like an aeroplane at York but strictly on the book we haven’t got much to find.”

Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (21/09)

The Paul Cole-trained Baron Bolt created history last year when dead-heating in this race with Son Of Rest and the gelding is a general 16-1 chance to go back-to-back in Scotland’s premier six-furlong dash.

In his four starts this season however, Baron Bolt has failed to trouble the judge and on his most recent outing he beat just one rival home in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.

Cole said: “Baron Bolt has not really run up to expectations this season.

“He has been left in the Ayr Gold Cup, and that is his target again.

The Hopeful Stakes winner, Raucous, could well be on his way up north too. “He’s in the Ayr Gold Cup which we might run him in, but we’ll see what the weights look like and what the ground is like,” said his trainer Robert Cowell.

The six-year-old has already run with credit in big handicaps this season, placing in both the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes (21/09)

The Blandford Stakes fourth, Waitingfortheday, could well line up in this race for trainer-jockey brothers Joseph and Donnacha O'Brien.

Waitingfortheday defeated Skitter Scatter to take the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary at the end of August.

Shadwell Rockfel Stakes (27/09)

The Frankel filly, Quadrilateral, holds an entry in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes, but  her trainer Roger Charlton also has designs on the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes back at Newbury on September 20^th.

If the chestnut filly turns up at Newmarket then she must hold a leading chance.

Royal Lodge Stakes (28/09)

Unbeaten juvenile Thunderous will contest the Royal Lodge Stakes on his next start for Mark Johnston.

The colt has won all three of his career starts over seven furlongs, including the Listed Denford Stakes last time.

George Margarson is hopeful that his Ropey Guest can gain a well deserved first win in the Royal Lodge.

After finishing a close-up sixth in the Coventry Stakes, the colt has run some sterling races in defeat including coming third to the very useful Valdermoro in the Acomb at York's Ebor Festival recently.

Margarson said: "He is still a maiden, so he has got options. But I'd like to go for the Royal Lodge, because the step up to the mile will be good for him.

"I was very pleased with him at York - he finished the race off well.

"He got caught a little bit wide on the bend, and he was a bit far back, but apart from that it was a good run."

Cheveley Park Stakes (28/09)

The Mark Johnston-trained Raffle Prize will be hoping to resume her winning ways when she returns to Newmarket for a crack at the Cheveley Park.

The filly has already reached some lofty height this season winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

She was beaten just a neck in the Prix Morny in a race where she took on the colts and another bold showing should be on the cards here.

Johnston said after the Morny: Johnston said: "She will wait for the Cheveley Park now. It was a good run and there were no excuses. It looked like she would much prefer better ground, but that might apply to the winner.

"You would hope she would get better ground at Newmarket, as there is no better autumn track than Newmarket. Everything is fine with her, touch wood."

Middle Park Stakes (28/09)

The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes victor, Siskin, will be heading over the Irish Sea to race on Cambridgeshire Day.

The Khalid Abdullah-sponsored Middle Park Stakes will give the Ger Lyons-trained colt the chance to take his extend his unbeaten record to five.

Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O'Brien could well be represented by both Lope Y Fernandez and Monarch Of Egypt.

Lope Y Fernandez has decent form behind the Charlie Appleby-trained Pinatubo while Monarch Of Egypt has a pleasing form line that ties in behind Siskin.

Cambridgeshire Handicap (28/09)

If finding each-way value in big-field handicaps on the flat is your thing then you will be in your element here as a maximum field of 35 generally lines up for this race.

Forming the first leg of the “Autumn Double” – with the Cesarewitch Handicap being the second leg, The Cambridgeshire is always a very popular betting heat.

The John Gosden-trained Forest Of Dean currently heads the market at 6/1. Big handicap wins at both Goodwood and York have seen the three-year-old come in for some sustained support in the horse racing odds.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Darron Cummings / AP Photo*

After yet another mundane international break with two England wins, domestic football is back on our television screens. Starting with Liverpool hosting Newcastle United in the early kick-off on Saturday, it should be a thrilling weekend of Premier League action.

888sport have a number of enhanced specials onsite now ahead of this weekend’s matches, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City boosted to 6/4. You can find all of the boosted trebles and wincast bets via the link above.

Without further ado, here are my top Premier League bets of the weekend. Anyone backing the accumulator with 888sport can get 10/1 for the four-fold. What are you waiting for? Get involved!

Manchester United vs Leicester City

It would be fair to state that Man United have failed to inspire confidence so far this season. As expected, the Red Devils have been hit and miss in the opening month of the campaign and it would take a brave man to back the 20-time English champions here.

Meanwhile, Leicester are looking strong after a positive start to the campaign. The summer transfer window was a roaring success for the Foxes and many believe Brendan Rodgers’ side could be ‘best of the rest’ behind the top six come May.

For me, the best bet here is for both teams to score at 8/11. United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 league games while Leicester have scored in 13 of their previous 17 top flight matches. Expect plenty of goals at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

TIP: Both teams to score (8/11)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace

Like United, Tottenham have also struggled to build momentum in the early stages of the new campaign. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have won just four of their last 16 league games and many punters will be tempted to steer clear of Spurs this weekend.

At the other end of the spectrum, Crystal Palace’s form since February has been solid and the Eagles will be quietly confident of springing a shock. Roy Hodgson’s men secured back-to-back wins against Manchester United and Aston Villa prior to the international break and Palace could pick up where they left off.

Despite the contrast in recent form, Tottenham should prove too strong for Palace. Spurs will click into top gear sooner rather than later and an early goal could see the floodgates open. Take the 5/6 for Tottenham to lead at half-time.

TIP: Spurs to win the first half (5/6)

Norwich City vs Manchester City

Daniel Farke has done a terrific job at Norwich City. The Canaries have looked solid enough in the opening few matches and Norwich supporters will be dreaming of avoiding relegation back to the Championship. On current form, Norwich should be absolutely fine.

Manchester City have been good without being great so far this season – which is testament to their incredibly high standards. Pep Guardiola will be happy enough with his team’s start to the campaign but City’s defensive woes will be of some concern ahead of the trip to Carrow Road.

Both teams to score (4/5) is the way to go here. Norwich scored against Liverpool on the opening weekend and they will cause Manchester City problems. Expect Guardiola’s side to prevail but they won’t have everything their own way.

TIP: Both teams to score (4/5)

Watford vs Arsenal

Did anybody expect Watford to be this bad? The Hornets are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table having lost three of their opening four games. A managerial change came out of the blue but will it shock Watford into life? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, Arsenal had to settle for a draw at home to Tottenham last time out and Unai Emery’s men will be chomping at the bit to get back to winning ways. On paper, Arsenal are in a different league to Watford and the travelling faithful will expect to win.

Evens for Arsenal to emerge victorious could turn out to be an absolute gift. The Gunners aren’t the most consistent team but Watford have been abysmal this campaign and plenty of punters will be siding with the visitors to claim three points.

TIP: Arsenal to win (EVS)

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Rui Vieira / AP Photo*

Rafael Nadal became the first player ever to win five Grand Slams after turning 30 when he lifted his fourth US Open title. Nadal’s New York glory was his 19^th Slam, putting him just one behind his long-time rival Roger Federer on the all-time list.

A place in the conversation as the best tennis player of all-time is certain, and many of his records – especially those on clay – will stand for generations to come.

The greatest of all-time debate seems to resurface after each Grand Slam. Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon triumph raised questions of if, and perhaps when, he will pass Roger Federer’s Grand Slam tally.

Nadal, the 2019 US Open winner, is always a feature of those discussions. His clay court supremacy is the headline act, but he’s far from a one-trick pony, as Daniil Medvedev was reminded at Arthur Ashe Stadium earlier this month.

Nadal hasn’t been world number one in 2019 – he last held top spot in the rankings on 4^th November 2018 – yet he’s added two more Grand Slams this season, along with a final defeat in Melbourne at the start of the year.

While there was fortune in his run to the 2019 US Open final, the Spaniard made light work of it, dropping a solitary set in the tournament before going to five sets with Medvedev.

The 12 French Open wins are what Nadal will be most well remembered for when his career is reflected on in 20 or 30 years. In his time as a professional, though, it’s perhaps the seven other Grand Slams that sum up his talent.

Tennis on a clay court is vastly different from the grass of Wimbledon or hard courts of Melbourne and New York.

Nadal has excelled on all surfaces, and not just at his turn-of-the-decade peak, his 2017 and 2019 US Open titles show how even after the troubles of 2014 and 2015, Nadal has returned to be an all-court monster, a genuine contender for each Grand Slam along with the overwhelming tennis betting favourite for the French Open.

In 2010, Nadal became just the fourth player in tennis history to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in a single calendar year.

That US Open success – including a four-set final win over Djokovic – completed a career Golden Slam for Nadal, making him only the second man ever to do so.

While that was perhaps the pinnacle of Nadal’s career to date, he already had five French Open crowns under his belt. Since then, he’s added a further seven Grand Slam trophies to his overflowing cabinet.

The 12 French Open triumphs are not just a record in Paris, or an overly-qualified place in the history books, it is simply the most dominant anyone has been at a Grand Slam.

No one else has ever won the same Grand Slam nine times, let alone in the Open Era. Federer, Nadal’s rival throughout his career, is in second place on the list with eight Wimbledon victories.

Nadal and Roland Garros’ partnership is a generational, once-in-a-lifetime thing. Djokovic has Melbourne, Federer has Wimbledon, but neither have been as unbeatable for such a long period as Nadal in Paris.

Into his thirties by the time he became a fixture at the top of the men’s game again, Nadal defied the odds. Suffering with injuries in his late-twenties and failing to become a real force in 2016, even a player of Nadal’s calibre wasn’t expected to be this good again.

His best days looked to have passed. A couple more successful fortnights in Paris were feasible, maybe, but becoming a top three player on all surfaces seemed a little far-fetched.

Federer has aged as gracefully as anyone could expect. Djokovic had his own injury issues in 2017. Nadal’s two years away from the very top of the game, however, was a higher mountain to climb.

He has exceeded all reasonable expectations since then, winning five Grand Slams and reaching two Australian Open finals. Nadal’s superhuman fitness has been his defining trait, he’s the Cristiano Ronaldo to Federer’s Lionel Messi.

His game isn’t one you would associate with adapting well into his thirties, yet the mere mortals away from the big three find him as unbeatable as they did during his supposed peak years.

There’s still plenty left in the tank yet, but how Nadal’s career is remembered will be fascinating. He’s far more than a clay-court specialist, despite being unquestionably the greatest ever on the surface.

There’s a good chance that Nadal will retire with more Grand Slams than Djokovic and Federer, yet as it stands, his standing in the GOAT discussion is often undermined by his Roland Garros supremacy.

This is a special era for men’s tennis. The predictability of Nadal winning the French Open sees his role in this generation occasionally overlooked.

Picking the big three apart is an unforgiving task right now, but Nadal continues to make his case as the greatest to play the game.

His 2019 US Open win was another reminder that while Nadal might not be the best in the world on the hard courts, he’s still a long way ahead of the chasing pack. Pair that with his King Of Clay status, and you have a compelling GOAT case.

Take a gander at all the tennis punts you could want over on 888sport.com

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Charles Krupa / AP Photo*