Eddie Jones names Danny Cipriani in England squad for summer tour of South Africa
He last played for the team in 2015
Eddie Jones has ended Danny Cipriani's spell in the international wilderness by including him in Englands summer tour.
The 30-year-old has not played for England since August 2015 and has been overlooked by the head coach, who implied he was not enough of a team man to be selected in the squad. However, he has dazzled for Wasps this season.
In addition, the head coach has selected seven new players for Junes three-Test tour of South Africa, including Ben Earl (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) and Jack Willis (Wasps).
In the absence of Dylan Hartley due to concussion, Owen Farrell will captain the side.
Danny Care, Dan Cole, James Haskell and Richard Wigglesworth have been rested for the tour.
England has only won 23 percent of their matches against the Springboks in South Africa with the last win coming in Bloemfontein back in 2000.
"We have an opportunity to create some history next month and win the Test series, something no England side has done before.
There are a number of players out injured or not selected so it provides a big opportunity for others.
With three weeks to prepare for the first Test in Johannesburg I am expecting players to come into camp with the right mind-set and we will be looking for them to break the mould in terms of being more assertive and on the front foot in everything we do.
We will need to be physically aggressive and tactically smart against the Springboks who we know will be combative and reinvigorated by their new coaching setup.
ENGLAND IN SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg on 9 June
Bloemfontein on 16 June
Cape Town on 23 June