Danny Cipriani believes he has done all he can to try to force his way into England’s World Cup squad — but accepts he only has an outside shot of being picked.
Stuart Lancaster will confirm his 31-man squad this week and it would appear to need a late change of direction from the England head coach for Cipriani to be included, despite his impressive cameo off the bench against France on Saturday.
“I tried to bring some energy off the bench and that is something that Andy Farrell [the England backs coach] has talked to me about,” the Sale Sharks fly half said.
“You have to try and take whatever opportunity you get. Hopefully I did enough to put my hand up in any way, or maybe prolong the decision.
“There are people who will be first choice and people who will be on the periphery. I would be one of those players and that gives you enough hunger in every single training session to make sure you put your hand up.
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“Steve Diamond [the Sale director of rugby] phoned me and said he had a chat with Lancaster and that it was very positive.”
Even if Cipriani misses out, he will be available to England on standby. “There could be an injury, there could be anything,” he said. “I didn’t make it in 2007 but I went on to win a Premiership with Wasps that year. I feel very prepared for whatever scenario is up ahead of me, whether it be the World Cup or the Premiership. It is down to me now to keep up my standards and my consistency. I am 27 and I am going to be in my prime in three or four years and I have a lot of rugby left in me.”