"Let's hope they don't wait until the summer tour," said captain Dallaglio after Wasps' 25-17 victory over Guinness Premiership bottom club Leeds Carnegie on Saturday.

After kicking two penalties and two conversions from five attempts, plus setting up one of three tries, stand-off Cipriani was taken off with Wasps 25-3 clear.

He then watched almost in horror as the struggling Yorkshire club mounted a fine comeback, but although Wasps missed out on the expected bonus point the 20-year-old can now look forward to this week's England squad announcement with high hopes.

Jonny Wilkinson is, of course, the man in possession of the number 10 shirt, but Dallaglio makes a case for bringing in Cipriani sooner rather than later.

England open at home to Wales on February 2 and former captain Dallaglio, who has announced his retirement from Test rugby and intention to quit playing altogether in May, commented: "If you are going to pick young players you pick them at Twickenham with experienced players around them.

"That's how it was with Wilkinson and I think lessons were learnt from Mathew Tait." 

It was in Cardiff three years ago that Tait was given his first cap on the eve of his 19th birthday and after being dumped more than once he did not wear the shirt again for 16 months.

Wilkinson's debut was also at age 18 against Scotland at Twickenham in 1998, although he came off the bench to replace Mike Catt. His first start was in Australia - and England were hammered 76-0.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "Danny has been playing consistently well for us. He's been putting his hand up and answering a lot of questions the last few months. It's a decision obviously for Brian Ashton."