Sale Sharks fly-half Danny Cipriani has furthered his chances of being selected for England’s summer tour to New Zealand after he was named in a 20-man training squad.
Cipriani last appeared on the international stage in 2008 but his good form this season has earned him a spot in Stuart Lancaster’s initial selection.
With a host of England players still involved in the conclusion of domestic and European competitions, Lancaster has included ten uncapped players, who all have the chance to impress ahead of the tour.
“Danny is back because of his form at Sale,” said the England Head Coach.
“He’s played well. I take my decisions based on what the coaches say and what I see myself.
“I spoke to Danny prior to the Six Nations, giving him areas to work on which he has done and I called him on Tuesday to invite him into the squad.
“I’ve coached Danny more than most because during the majority of my time as England Saxons coach he was on it. His club have done a fantastic job of making him a more rounded and mature person.”
Cipriani has re-built his reputation over the past year with Sale after he made more front page news than back page during his time spent playing for the Melbourne Rebels in the Super 15.
Lancaster is confident that the 26-year-old has matured though and sees no reason to be worried about bringing him back into an international environment.
“I don’t view it as a risk bringing a player into an international team,” he added.
“It is an opportunity and ultimately selection will be determined by how effective he is off the field in a training environment and in terms of his ability to apply his skills to our gameplan.
“If he is good enough he will get the opportunity to go to New Zealand and if we feel he is not quite ready then he will hopefully play in the Barbarians game, which would be a starting point for him in his reintroduction to international rugby.”
Also selected in the squad from Sale were Bath-bound prop Henry Thomas, hooker Tommy Taylor and New Zealand-born back-row Michael Paterson.
Taylor has impressed this season as part of a young front row trio alongside Thomas and loosehead Ross Harrison, who Sharks’ director of rugby, Steve Diamond, has also tipped to earn international honours in the future.
“I am delighted for the lads who have been selected; they have all worked hard all season and fully deserve their chance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Paterson has been one of the stand-out performers across the Premiership since he joined the Sharks last summer from Cardiff.
Comfortable in the second row as well as on the flank, the former Hurricane qualifies for selection thanks to his English grandfather.
Image courtesy of John Spartan, via Youtube, with thanks
