Danny Cipriani has not ruled out a short-term return to Wasps © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Danny Cipriani

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | Melbourne Rebels | Rebels | Wasps

Danny Cipriani has not ruled out the possibility of making a short-term return to Wasps if he fails to make England's 2011 Rugby World Cup squad.

The fly-half is set to join the Melbourne Rebels Super15 franchise next season, with their long off-season presenting a chance to return to England between September and December 2011. With his Rebels move ruling out selection for next season's Six Nations, winning a place in the World Cup squad will be a tough ask, one which Wasps could benefit from.

"Between my first and second years there could be a possibility of coming back to play in England," he said. "Wasps would be the first club I talk to whatever decision I make and will be the first club I think of.

"I won't do it this year. I have got a big period to condition myself which hopefully will put me in good shape for six to eight years. It will be difficult to leave Wasps. I have been here for seven years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will miss that camaraderie. Hopefully I will be able to come back and see them in my off-season."

Cipriani is hoping to tour Australia with England this summer, rather than play for the Barbarians, following words of encouragement on his recent form from attack coach Brian Smith.

"I am hoping that if I play well enough I will go on the England tour. That would be my first port of call, rather than playing for the Barbarians," he said. "To know Brian Smith is still looking at my games is to know I am still in their thoughts, which is great.

"I feel a lot more confident in what I am doing now and that is important because when you are confident you can make the split decision, that instinct decision straight away rather than hesitating slightly. When I look at my old games that is what I was doing."

Some have questioned Cipriani's commitment to England, but the seven-times-capped pivot insists he is completely driven to regain an international spot. He believes that working with a coach of the calibre of Rebels boss Rod Macqueen, who led Australia to the 1999 World Cup title, can only improve his game.

"Playing for England is what drives me and it has been difficult because I have not been doing that," he said. "I need to find ways to solve the puzzle. For me, it is going out there to learn from Rod Macqueen. He is a coach in Clive Woodward's calibre.

"I can understand that (perception) but I believe the best way to solve the puzzle is to go to the Melbourne Rebels. It will be out of my comfort zone. I will be with players like Stirling Mortlock who is someone I can learn from. I am going out there to improve myself as a player and get to the level I want to get to. It is a chance for me to hone my skills and hopefully I will come back more of a rounded player and still have 10 years of rugby ahead of me."