Danny Cipriani
Cipriani's recent form could earn him an England spot

Danny Cipriani has received praise from Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond who believes that he is playing well enough for a place in the England squad.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster watched the fly-half help Sale overcome London Irish on Friday ahead of next year's Six Nations which his go into injury stricken.

Diamond, however, is keen not to let the prospect of an international recall affect the current form of Cipriani in club games.

"We don't want to start talking about him playing for England just yet. Just let him keep playing the game he's playing," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"If the opportunity comes in the Six Nations - brilliant. If it doesn't, there's a summer tour.

"If he plays like he is playing, and controls the game like he is, the England coaches will have to take a look at him some time."

Cipriani, 26, has not played for England since they lost to New Zealand at Twickenham in November 2008. Since then he has lost out to regular starters Saracens' Owen Farrell and Toby Flood of Leicester.

The Sale fly-half would also have some competition from Gloucester's Freddie Burns and Bath's George Ford if he is to have any hope of making a comeback.

Cipriani moved to Sale last season after a stint in Australia with the Melbourne Rebels and had a shaky start with the club as they struggled against relegation. The fly-half then made headlines after he was hit by a bus while on a night out with his team-mates in Leeds.

Putting last season behind him, Cipriani has made a much better start to this season and Sale sit comfortably mid-table.

"There's a lot of press about Danny at the moment," continued 45-year-old Diamond.

"Danny's playing well because he's playing for the team. As he's matured, he's realised his individual brilliance is brilliant when combined with a team ethic."

England