However injuries and a spell in Australia playing for the Melbourne Rebels have seen him drop out of England reckoning, with youngster Owen Farrell and Toby Flood the two fly-halves in the squad.

But while Cipriani is keen to add to his seven international caps, he insists that his main focus is with new club Sale.

He said: “It is a long-term goal of mine. People have heard me talk about that, but in terms of what I’m about now, it is coming back and just getting into the Sale side and making sure we start the season well.

“You can’t let the season slip away from you and it is important that we get off to a flier.

“You can be frustrated with the gap I’ve had, but it is just part and parcel of what has happened over these last few years.

“You can’t really cry over spilt milk so you just have to get on with it. I’m back now and I’m just looking forward to starting this season the best I can.

“That is the main thing and then we will just see what happens from there."