CIPRIANI’S RECALL AS SALE FREEFALL

DANNY CIPRIANI’S match-winning show for Sale last weekend has earned him a starting recall for Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with Montpellier in France — but the man who has picked him faces an increasingly uncertain future. The 24-year-old fly half has been in the reserves after struggling to break into a losing team following his summer arrival from Melbourne Rebels. But Cipriani scored one try and created another to spark a stunning comeback against Cardiff Blues for the Sharks’ first win of the season. Now, Sportsmail has learned the one-time England No 10 prodigy will return to the starting XV. Yet this boost for Cipriani (below) comes amid turmoil within the Aviva Premiership’s bottom club. After the sacking of forwards coach Steve Scott, ex-All Blacks coach and Sale player John Mitchell was lined up as a consultant. The Kiwi is due in Montpellier but the signs are he could be put in charge of team affairs. Bryan Redpath, Sale’s director of rugby, yesterday reflected on how the torrid start to the season has led to doubts about his job. ‘Of course I was nervous about my position,’ he said. ‘There has been a lot of chat about John. I have no issues with him and he’s got a wealth of experience. ‘The owners have to make decisions for this club. My role won’t change — it will be supported with someone else. ‘Every coach needs someone to bounce stuff off and John has been through a lot himself. Our egos have to be put to one side.’ Asked if rugby is becoming more like football in its ruthless hiring and firing of coaches, Redpath said: ‘I think it is. Sadly, that’s the way the game has gone.’ Sale’s Scotland lock Richie Gray is wearing a surgical boot on his right ankle and will be out for three weeks. Leicester and England flanker Tom Croft has been ruled out of the autumn internationals with a neck injury.