Danny Cipriani will have to impress if he is to force his way into the England squad © Getty Images

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Sale Sharks' new recruit Danny Cipriani has already turned his sights to winning an England recall but insists that impressing for his new side is the priority.

Cipriani won the last of his seven England caps back in 2008 with injury, poor form and a two-year stint in Melbourne with Super Rugby side the Rebels pushing him down the pecking order. But having returned to the Aviva Premiership, Cipriani is looking to rediscover his best form with a revitalised Sharks and force his way back into the international reckoning.

"When asked 'do you want to play for England?' I reply 'yes of course that's my long term goal," the 24-year-old wrote on Twitter. "But my focus is playing well for Sale and settling in with a great bunch of lads.

"Frustrating how they only go on about England! I know there is work to be done rugby to be played. Not meant to come across like that is all I'm thinking about."

Cipriani took to the micro-blogging website to clarify earlier reports that suggested England was his main focus - a fact that he has denied while talking up the potential of the Sharks squad that also includes another high-profile signing in Scotland international lock Richie Gray.

"[Chief executive] Steve Diamond has got everything going forward in the right direction," he told the BBC. "He's been making sure the club hasn't been losing a lot of money and he's made some big signings with Richie Gray and Eifion Roberts coming, and Hendre Fourie is like a new signing because he's fit again this year.

"There's the likes of Mark Cueto and Dwayne Peel who have been here for a while, and there are young players like Will Addison and Rob Miller who had fantastic seasons last year. I think this is a good time to be around the Sale Sharks team."