"Cipriani has performed well since he came back and, while there was strong competition from other players, I have decided to give him the chance to compete for a place in the 22 for the Pacific Islanders match on 8 November," said former Lions skipper and now England manager Martin Johnson.

"Michael Lipman was very unlucky not to make the original 32-man squad and he has been playing very well for his club this season.

"I'm disappointed for Tom Varndell but he has not been selected by Leicester recently and we will monitor his form when he starts playing regularly again and competing for a place in the squad."

Cipriani had originally been left out of the EPS after suffering a double fracture of his ankle during last season's Guinness Premiership semi-final against Bath. He has since returned to club duty six weeks earlier than expected and has now been promoted from the England Saxons squad after it was announced that Wilkinson would miss the games against the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.