Cipriani resigned to England snub

Cipriani did not feature in this year's Six Nations

Danny Cipriani is resigned to missing out on a place in the England squad for the game against the Barbarians on 30 May and two Tests against Argentina.

Martin Johnson names a 32-man squad on Tuesday, but Cipriani says he expects to feature in the second-string Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup in Denver.

"I will do my very best for the Saxons and am looking forward to joining up with them," he told the Sunday Times.

"But I can't pretend that I am not massively disappointed."

Cipriani is on the standby list for the British and Irish Lions, but does not appear to have convinced the England management of his worth despite a strong end to the season with Wasps.

They have told me to go out and show that I can lead a side Danny Cipriani

The 22-year-old is a member of the England elite player squad but did not feature in this year's Six Nations, when Brive fly-half Andy Goode and Leicester's Toby Flood were preferred.

Flood will miss the summer Tests and the early months of next season after rupturing his Achilles, but his replacement at Leicester, Sam Vesty, appears to have overtaken Cipriani in the pecking order.

"I am totally dedicated to wearing the England shirt and to go out and do whatever they want me to do," he added.

"They have told me to go out and show that I can lead a side and also that I need to get in some game time.

"I will keep myself very fit, do my best with the Saxons and be ready (for the Lions) if needed."

606: DEBATE Cipriani does not deserve a spot in the Lions, he has not played well enough romeo_bravo

England play the Barbarians at Twickenham on 30 May before tackling the Pumas at Old Trafford on 6 June and in Salta, Argentina a week later.

The Churchill Cup features the USA, Canada and Georgia plus the second teams from England, Argentina and Ireland.