Danny Cipriani among senior players named in England Saxons tour squad

Danny Cipriani is among players with senior experience named in a 27-man England Saxons squad to tour South Africa this summer.

The Wasps back was overlooked by Eddie Jones for England's squad to face Australia, which was named on Sunday, but the head coach left the door open for Cipriani to figure again in the future.

He is one of seven England internationals included in the squad, which will be coached by Exeter Chiefs assistant Ali Hepher, joining Kieran Brookes, Dave Attwood, Matt Kvesic, Christian Wade, Semesa Rokoduguni and Luther Burrell.

Attwood, Kvesic and Burrell were named in England's squad for the clash with Wales on Sunday, which will not feature any players from the Chiefs and Saracens, but did not make the tour party.

Saxons selections Tommy Taylor and Oliver Devoto, as yet uncapped at senior level, are also in that squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup game at Twickenham

Hepher said: "Eddie Jones has given us a strong development squad to take on a South Africa A side. The squad has a good mixture of experienced players and emerging talent.

"Playing South Africa twice in South Africa is going to be a great challenge and a significant test for us but it is also an incredibly exciting opportunity for the players and management to prove themselves.

"The series will give the players international experience and will be an important stepping stone towards international honours.

"As coaches, this is an exciting opportunity for us too, not only to coach this group of highly-talented players but also for us to gain some international rugby experience."

England Saxons squad:

Forwards: Ross Harrison (Sale), Alec Hepburn (Exeter), Tommy Taylor (Wasps), George McGuigan (Newcastle), Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps); Kieran Brookes (Northampton), James Craig (Northampton), Mitch Lees (Exeter), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), Dave Ewers (Exeter), Don Armand (Exeter), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), James Chisholm (Harlequins), Sam Jones (Wasps).

Backs: Dan Robson (Wasps), Michael Young (Newcastle), Ollie Devoto (Bath), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Christian Wade (Wasps), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Sam Hill (Exeter), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Alex Lewington (London Irish), Sam James (Sale), Mike Haley (Sale).