Danny must be ready - Mitchell

» DANNY Cipriani has been told to be ready if called upon by England.

The Gloucester fly-half was named in Eddie Jones’ initial pre-world Cup training camp squad earlier this month but spent the second week doing specialised strength and conditioning work away from the main group before missing out on the 12-day warm weather camp in Treviso, which comes to an end this week.

Jones names his 31-man squad for the World Cup on August 12, the day after the first warm-up game against Wales and Cipriani’s chances of being involved in that game or going to Japan appear to be slim though with only an injury to captain Owen Farrell or Leicester’s George Ford, Jones’ preferred number 10s, likely to present a chance.

England defence coach John Mitchell said: “We’re going to need everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in now or out - the thing is that you need to be ready. Danny is no different.

“We have some really good players in the squad and some really good players out. In recent World Cups, some positions have gone four or five deep on some occasions.

“Ultimately everyone has to be ready because it is a long way between then and finishing the World Cup.”

Cipriani was Premiership Rugby Player of the Season and also voted as the top performer for the RPA award after steering Gloucester to a play-off place last season.

“He has been in for two weeks,” said Mitchell.

“Eddie will make a decision on the squad when we get back to England. Nothing changes there.”