Danny Cipriani has withdrawn from the England Saxons squad ahead of Sunday's game against Ireland A after suffering a family bereavement.

The Wasps fly-half had been set to relaunch his stuttering international career with the England second string at The Recreation ground in Bath.

But the Rugby Football Union this morning confirmed Cipriani is unavailable for selection after losing a close relative.

The RFU statement said: "Danny has the full support of the Saxons coaches and management as well as all at London Wasps through this difficult time."

Shane Geraghty, who won two caps for England during the autumn, will play at fly-half as one of four senior internationals in the starting line-up.

Two of those feature in the front row, in London Irish hooker David Paice and Gloucester prop Paul Doran-Jones, while Harlequins' David Strettle returns on the wing.

Leicester's Ben Youngs will start at scrum-half before linking up with England's Six Nations squad next week.

Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster said, "We have a young squad full of quality players and a good mix of experience. I'm sure they will rise to a challenging Ireland A squad."

England Saxons lost 49-22 to Ireland A in the final of last summer's Churchill Cup in Denver.