Danny Cipriani is set to be a sensational Lions wildcard for New Zealand tour next year

DANNY CIPRIANI is set to be a sensational Lions wildcard for their New Zealand tour.

The Wasps fly-half, 29, has been shunned by England boss Eddie Jones.

But he could get an international lifeline after Lions coach Warren  Gatland got in touch about the  summer trip to tackle the All Blacks.

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Cipriani last pulled on a Red Rose shirt 15 months ago, so it would be an incredible call from the Kiwi coach, who gave the bad-boy his debut aged just 17 in 2004.

Gatland said: “I’ve spoken to  Cipriani. I coached him as a kid.

“He’s not everyone’s flavour of the month, but he has some talent and ability and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t discuss him.”

Cipriani's chances of playing in the Test side  would be slim.

But Gatland clearly believes he could star in his midweek side.

Having played in Australia with Melbourne Reds, Cipriani knows the Southern Hemisphere well.

And after Gatland yesterday named his coaching team of Andy Farrell, Steve Borthwick and Rob Howley, Cipriani might not be the only bombshell the Wales boss drops when he picks his squad in April.

He said: “I can think of one player in my head and the conversation would go, ‘I don’t see you as a Test player, but given your experience I think you would be brilliant playing in that midweek side. I think you’d be a great tourist and character and if there’s injuries and your form is good there is no reason you couldn’t play in the Test, but this is where I see you at the moment. Are you happy with that?’.

“You want good people and good characters. We had a coaches’  meeting and went through the  players that have impressed us.

“It’s not just players, it’s people and characters. You want people who will fight for their positions.

“You always get one or two  disgruntled players who feel like they haven’t had the opportunity.

“I saw that in 2013, there was one player pretty disappointed about not being picked for the first Test who threw his toys out of the cot but regathered himself.”

After name-checking Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw, who were  sensational for Ireland as they beat the All Blacks last month, Gatland also warned everyone would have to fight for their place.

The 53-year-old said: “Some  guys are used to being No 1 and all of a sudden they’re No 2 or No 3.

“In 2009, there was a very well recognised player in the last week who wasn’t involved in the last Test and had too much to drink on the Wednesday night and wouldn’t get out of bed for training.

“If I had been in charge, I would have sent him home.”

Former hooker Robin McBryde will again lead Wales on their summer tour of Tonga and Samoa.

Coach Gatland and assistant  Howley will both be on Lions duty, creating a vacancy. McBryde fulfilled a similar role in 2009 and 2013.