Six Nations 2015: Danny Cipriani set to receive England recall

Injuries give Sale playmaker chance to resurrect his red-rose career

Danny Cipriani made his England debut in 2008 but has only been capped nine times (Getty Images)

Danny Cipriani, one of the most gifted outside-halves – and one of the most wayward – to emerge in English rugby in recent years, has been heavily tipped for a sudden recall to the senior red-rose squad ahead of the Six Nations, which begins in 16 days’ time. The Sale playmaker has been in eye-catching form, but was ignored for the international series at Twickenham before Christmas.

Minor injuries to a couple of Bath backs – the centre Kyle Eastmond and the wing Anthony Watson – have left the head coach, Stuart Lancaster, in need of reinforcements. Cipriani was expected to be drafted in as cover, giving him a chance to pit his wits against those ahead of him in the pecking order: George Ford, Owen Farrell and Stephen Myler.

The veteran Harlequins No 8 Nick Easter was also thought to be in line for promotion, filling the gap left by the stricken Ben Morgan, but the Northampton full-back Ben Foden is out for the season after rupturing knee ligaments at the weekend.