Danny Cipriani is taking inspiration from Andy Murray's domination of the world's best tennis players and wants to make his own sporting history having finally overcome the horrendous ankle injury that threatened his career.

The London Wasps No10, dropped by England during the November Tests, returns to Twickenham on Saturday for a make-or-break Heineken Cup pool clash with Leinster needing to prove he really can be a world-class player.

And he goes into that game galvanised by the success British No1 Murray (below) has already enjoyed this year in beating Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick to become the favourite for next week's Australian Open

Cipriani, who like Murray is 21, said: "It is massively inspiring to see what Andy Murray has done in recent weeks and it followed on from what Lewis Hamilton achieved winning the Formula One championship last year. Andy is beating the best in the world on a regular basis and it shows that British sportsmen can achieve great things and that's what I am trying to do.

"You don't have to be in your late 20s to make a real impact at the highest level. Andy and Lewis are also young and you can learn a lot in a short time and I have had to do that.

"I know those lessons are going to benefit me in the long term."

Cipriani has already had his share of setbacks, the most serious being the ankle injury he suffered in May, which was supposed to keep him out for six months. Although the fly-half made an early return in October there have been problems with his game, namely with charged-down kicks.

He admits to making basic errors - allowing his decision making to become muddled when it should be clear - and that is understandable, given Cipriani's first instinct is to attack with the ball.

However, he now feels everything is coming together and is confident that a new plan devised by Wasps coach Shaun Edwards will stop his kicks being charged down.

The fly-half, who is set to sign a new £200,000 contract this week, said: "In the most recent game where I was charged down it was a case of me being half in the pocket ready to kick and half in the back line ready to attack. I need to be more precise in making my decisions to run."

After being rushed back into the England team for the November Tests, Cipriani has now had time to reflect on where improvements need to be made if he is to secure the No10 jersey for the Six Nations, which starts against Italy at Twickenham on 7 February.

The fact Leinster contain so many of Ireland's top players makes Saturday's match a "mini Test" for Cipriani and a commanding performance will have a huge bearing on who wins the battle to become England's outside-half.

Wasps lost 41-11 to Leinster in Dublin when the game got away from them with two tries from charge downs (not Cipriani's fault) and an interception.

Cipriani added: "We let the game get away from us and we cannot afford to do that - this is a do-or-die match and there are no second chances. We have to beat Leinster."