10 Apr 2014

Call for Cipriani's return to England fold

6:29 am on 10 April 2014

The former England rugby international Austin Healy has called for an end to the exile of Danny Cipriani after the first five was named the English Premiership's player of the month for March.

Cipriani's form has helped guide unheralded Sale to the brink of the domestic play-offs and led to calls for his inclusion on England's tour of New Zealand in June.

26-year-old Cipriani was once the rising star of English rugby but won the last of his seven caps back in 2008, a combination of injuries and concerns about his 'celebrity' lifestyle off the pitch seeing him sidelined.

England will be missing their Premiership finalists for the first Test against the All Blacks on June 7 and also play a midweek game against the Crusaders - a schedule that could create an opening for Cipriani.