Despite being sidelined with a fracture dislocation of his ankle between April and October of last year, Cipriani returned in time to start the first three of England's autumn internationals before being dropped for the final Test against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Cipriani will be joined in the Saxons side by fellow Lions contender Harry Ellis, whose recent lack of game time after suspension has seen him drop to third in the England pecking order.

"Harry and Danny will spend this week with the Saxons as they prepare to play Ireland A on Friday," said former Lions skipper and now England team manager Martin Johnson.

"Both players remain in my plans for the Six Nations, but I would like to see them get some game time with the Saxons.

"Harry benefited from playing with them last week, and I will be in regular contact with Saxons head coach Stuart Lancaster during the course of the week."

Cipriani's demotion this time around means Leicester's Toby Flood is now the firm favourite to wear the No10 shirt against the Azzuri, with Shane Geraghty of London Irish a likely candidate for the replacements bench.

Johnson, who is entering his first Six Nations as England manager, has called up three more reinforcements to his Elite Player Squad.

Brive fly-half Andy Goode has been added on a permanent basis having trained with the squad during their time in Portugal in the lead up to the tournament , while James Simpson-Daniel of Gloucester and Saracens prop Tom Mercey will cover for Ugo Monye and Tim Payne who have a sore back and abdominal pain respectively.