Danny Cipriani included in England Saxons squad for South Africa tour

Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani has been included in the England Saxons squad that will tour South Africa in June.

The 28-year-old's England career seemed to be in trouble after he was left out of the squad for the upcoming game against Wales and the Australian tour subsequent to that but England coach Eddie Jones has provided a lifeline for Cipriani with his inclusion in the Saxons squad. 

Jones said after the training camp in Brighton that Cipriani needs further improvement in order to push his selection ahead of the Bath duos - George Ford and Ollie Devoto.

The 27-man squad will feature in two matches against South Africa A with Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher taking charge as the head coach and will be assisted by from Northampton Saints' Alex Dickens and Wasps' Andy Titterrell.

Apart from Cipriani the squad also contains six other England internationals in Kieran Brookes, Dave Attwood, Matt Kvesic, Christian Wade, Semesa Rokoduguni and Luther Burrell.

Expressing happiness over the squad picked for the tour, Hepher said the tour of South Africa will give the players an exciting opportunity to grab the attention of England selectors.

“Eddie Jones has given us a strong development squad to take on a South Africa A side. The squad has a good mixture of experienced players and emerging talent.

"Playing South Africa twice in South Africa is going to be a great challenge and a significant test for us but it is also an incredibly exciting opportunity for the players and management to prove themselves.”

He also believes the tour will be a challenging one and will help the players as well as the backroom staffs to gain valuable exposure.

"The series will give the players international experience and will be an important stepping stone towards international honours.

"As coaches, this is an exciting opportunity for us too, not only to coach this group of highly-talented players but also for us to gain some international rugby experience.

The first match will be played at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein on 10th June while the second game is scheduled to be played on 17th June at Outeniqua Park, George.

England Saxons squad:

Forwards: Ross Harrison (Sale), Alec Hepburn (Exeter), Tommy Taylor (Wasps), George McGuigan (Newcastle), Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps); Kieran Brookes (Northampton), James Craig (Northampton), Mitch Lees (Exeter), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), Dave Ewers (Exeter), Don Armand (Exeter), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), James Chisholm (Harlequins), Sam Jones (Wasps).

Backs: Dan Robson (Wasps), Michael Young (Newcastle), Ollie Devoto (Bath), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Christian Wade (Wasps), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Sam Hill (Exeter), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Alex Lewington (London Irish), Sam James (Sale), Mike Haley (Sale).