Danny Cipriani was drafted in to replace injured Jonny Wilkinson in the England squad for the autumn Tests, coach Martin Johnson has announced.

The 20-year-old golden boy of English rugby was left out of Johnson's original 32-man squad because he was not expected to recover from an ankle injury, but the Wasps flyhalf returned to action on October 1, six weeks ahead of schedule.

He will now replace Wilkinson, who is suffering from a dislocated right knee.

"Danny Cipriani has made a good recovery from his injury and returned earlier than expected," Johnson said.

"He's performed well since he came back and, while there was strong competition from other players, I have decided to give Danny the chance to compete for a place in the 22 for the Pacific Islanders match on November 8."

Cipriani is one of three changes with Bath's Michael Lipman replacing Leicester's Lewis Moody, who is recovering from surgery, and Nick Abendanon standing in for Tom Varndell.

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

"The England medical team and I will continue to liaise closely with Jonny and Lewis and their clubs and I wish both of them a speedy recovery. Lewis is getting closer to playing for Leicester Tigers and I look forward to seeing him back in action soon.

"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."

England face the Pacific Islands at Twickenham on November 8 before Tests against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

England squad

Forwards

Steve Borthwick (Saracens), George Chuter (Leicester), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Tom Croft (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Lee Mears (Bath), Michael Lipman (Bath), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Tim Payne (Wasps), Tom Rees (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps)

Backs

Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Danny Care (Harlequins), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Pete Richards (London Irish), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mathew Tait (Sale), Nick Abendanon (Bath), Danny Cipriani (Wasps)

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