Cipriani called up for England training

Danny Cipriani is one of five players added by Eddie Jones to his England squad ahead of their second training camp next week.

The fly-half, who was last capped by England in June 2018 against South Africa, is joined in the 31-man group by his Gloucester clubmates Willi Heinz and Ollie Thorley and Northampton’s Piers Francis and Courtney Lawes.

Two players, however, are returning to their clubs, with prop Kyle Sinckler – believed to be suffering from a minor hamstring issue – and fly-half Marcus Smith heading back to Harlequins. Jones said: “We feel it is in their best interests in terms of the World Cup to do that.”

Injured trio Jack Nowell (Exeter), George Kruis and Mako Vunipola (both Saracens) will all be in camp to continue their respective recoveries from injury.

“It has been a really positive week, we have worked on our fundamentals of the game, a little bit of physical conditioning and I am pleased with the players’ attitude. They have all come back from their leave in excellent condition, the best I have seen,” Jones added.

Meanwhile, the Rugby Football Union has confirmed it is aware of Jones’s work as a consultant with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath.

An RFU spokesman said: “Eddie has had a consultancy agreement with Suntory for over 20 years and we have been aware and comfortable with that since he joined the RFU.”

Former Australia full-back Israel Folau is poised to take his battle against Rugby Australia to court over his sacking last month, after the two parties failed to reach a settlement during yesterday’s fourhour meeting at the Fair Work Commission in Sydney.