DANNY CIPRIANI will star as England’s fly-half in next month’s internationals — according to the player who put him in hospital!

Bath’s Alex Crockett is particularly thrilled to see Wasps star Cipriani back in action.

It was a double-handed tackle by Crockett and team-mate Olly Barkley that resulted in Cipriani, 20, fracturing his right ankle in last May’s Guinness Premiership play-off semi-final.

The centre, 26, took one look at Cipriani’s injury and threw up on the pitch.

Crockett’s side came out on top with a 27-23 win at Adams Park on Wednesday — and he made a point of seeking out Cipriani afterwards.

AGONY ... Danny Cipriani fractures ankle

Crockett said: “I thought Danny did very well, considering he was coming back six weeks ahead of schedule from an horrific injury.

“We felt he wasn’t the attacking threat he was when they beat us three times last season.

“But, under the circumstances, that’s a lot to ask of anybody, even of a player with his proven talent. Danny was, perhaps, a bit too keen to impress and tried to do a bit too much in his first game back.

“He just needs a few games under his belt. As far as England is concerned, the autumn Tests may be coming a bit too early for him in the opinions of some people.

“But I believe if anybody can get themselves back to international fitness levels in four weeks, he’s one of the few who could.”

Bath captain Michael Lipman, Cipriani’s England team-mate, believes it’s more a case of when, not if.

He said: “I have no doubt Danny will be ready if England want him for the autumn Tests after a good display against us.

“In my role, I kept a very close eye on Danny and I didn’t see a player lacking any of his old pace or lacking any confidence at all in the physical exchanges.

“He kicked his goals with authority and didn’t do much wrong in terms of managing Wasps’ game during his 51 minutes of action.

“His is a special achievement. It takes most players a long time to put an injury like his behind them.

"But I don’t think he could have timed his comeback better in England terms with Jonny Wilkinson injured.”