Cipriani had been dropped from the England squad to face Italy at Twickenham and had been instead asked to play for his country's second string in Dublin.

England team manager Martin Johnson had stressed that the Wasps fly-half could return in time for the clash with Wales in Cardiff next Saturday if he impressed for the Saxons in Dublin.

However, although Cipriani could still be recalled for England's second game of the Six Nations Championship, the cancellation of Friday's match will have been a real disappointment for a player who has only featured in 11 fixtures since returning from ankle surgery.

The adverse weather conditions were the reason behind the cancellation of the match at Donnybrook, which has not been rescheduled for a future date.