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Stuart Lancaster: 'Danny Cipriani's England hopes depend on Sale form'

Lancaster: 'Cipriani's England hopes depend on Sale form'
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England head coach Stuart Lancaster says that Danny Cipriani must perform well for Sale Sharks to secure a place in the national team.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster had told Danny Cipriani that he must find his top form at club level to reclaim his place in the national team.

The Sale Sharks fly-half has not played for his country since 2008, and faces fierce competition from Nick Macleod at club level.

"His challenge is to start and play well for Sale. If he does that on a consistent basis he'll be considered like everyone else," Lancaster told BBC Sport.

Cipriani - who joined the Sharks from Melbourne Rebels over the summer - featured in Sale's 34-33 win over Cardiff Blues, impressing Lancaster in the process.

"I'm lucky, I coached Danny a lot before he went to Australia and he worked with me in the Saxons," Lancaster added.

"When I spoke to him out in Australia he said the priority is to come back and play well in the Premiership. It was great that he came on and made a difference [on Sunday] and great for Sale to get that win."

Cipriani has seven England caps to his name, winning his last with a substitute appearance against New Zealand in November 2008.

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Mark Langshaw
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