Cipriani: I won't lose focus

Danny Cipriani vowed his love of rugby will prevent him from being distracted by the intense scrutiny that has descended since wowing Twickenham.

A headline act in England's 33-10 RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland on Saturday has ensured the 20-year-old's life will never be the same again.

"I'm going to have to find the balance but I'll stay focused on my rugby," he said at Wednesday's launch of Rugby Expo 08. "Initially I started playing as a fan, then continued because I enjoyed it and now I'm doing it professionally. It's my job and it's what I need to be focused on mostly."

He added: "I'll never get away from that. The fact things have gone quite well is just going to make me work even harder now. I want to improve.

"As soon as you lose sight of what your main focus is, which is playing rugby, that's when things go downhill.

"The last 48 hours have been pretty busy. These are exciting times. But like anything, good or bad, I have to leave Saturday in the past and move on."

Cipriani acknowledged the personalities at his club Wasps have a key role to play in keeping him grounded.

Director of rugby Ian McGeechan, head coach Shaun Edwards and sprint guru Margot Wells - who works with several Wasps players - will provide crucial guidance. And Cipriani revealed it is Wells' reaction should he step out of line that he fears most.

"I've got a lot of people around me to make sure I don't get carried away. Wasps have a massive part to play in that," he said.

"People like Shaun Edwards, Ian McGeechan and Margot Wells are mentally very strong and will keep me on the right track. I'm sure that if I stepped out of line Margot would quickly hit me back into line."