Steve Diamond has praised Danny Cipriani for maturing as a player this season.

The Sale Sharks fly-half's recent form led to England head coach Stuart Lancaster watching him play against London Irish last night.

The club's director of rugby told Sky Sports News: "There's a lot of press about Danny at the moment. Danny's playing well as he's playing for the team. What he's done is matured.

"We don't want to talk about playing for England just yet, just let him keep playing the game he's playing and if the opportunity comes in the Six Nations then brilliant, if it doesn't then there's the summer tour.

"Danny played well tonight, he had a tough start in the conditions by kicking long, but the difference in Danny now to when he was playing elsewhere is that he's consolidated his game a little bit."

Sale currently sit sixth in the Aviva Premiership table.