The Met Office expects the remnants of Tropical Storm Danny to blow into Britain today ahead of the weekend's opening Premiership matches. In Acton they will hope the forecast is an omen. Danny Cipriani's short career has had its tempestuous moments but lately the gifted Wasps fly-half has been in need of fresh momentum. Nothing would give the season more impetus than an early blast of Danny Boy.

There was a glint in the young man's eye yesterday as he contemplated the campaign ahead. The metalwork is finally out of his ankle and there is a spring back in his step. Never mind that England's management appeared to feel the 21-year-old needed a short, sharp lesson and duly dispatched him to North America with the Saxons squad last summer.

"I haven't looked at the pecking order," he murmured, hinting that perceptions may swiftly alter. "Ask me that question when I've played three or four games." His rivals would do well to heed the implicit warning. Inevitably there will be those who insist they have heard it all before. This time last year Cipriani was insisting he would come back "fitter, stronger and faster" from the hideous fracture/dislocation of his right ankle, only to discover life was not that simple. Since the plate was removed on 1 July, though, he appears in better shape physically and psychologically "The ankle feels a lot freer which is quite a big deal," he confirms. "I don't have the same sort of pain in my achilles so I think it'll make a big difference."

As a consequence, the doubts and grievances of the past 18 months are finally melting away. "Being pain-free takes the past off your mind. It leaves you free just to go out and play rugby." In the opinion of his new director of rugby, the New Zealander Tony Hanks, positive signs have  been visible for a while.

"Against Bristol and Gloucester at the end of last season he played some pretty good rugby," says Hanks. "We've gone through pre-season very deliberately to make sure he goes in with some confidence about where he's at physically. If you watch him train, I think he's in a pretty good place."

But will that translate into the kind of mesmeric pace and form which tore Ireland to shreds at Twickenham in 2008 before his injury? First he has to force his way back into the senior squad, having been overlooked in favour of Jonny Wilkinson, also still feeling his way back from a lengthy lay-off.

"I don't think they've thought about me and said: 'Let's lay the challenge down by not picking him.' I don't think they'd do that," says Cipriani diplomatically. "They've picked Jonny for their reasons and it's for me to go out and do the best I can. Hopefully it's me who'll be selected when I'm ready."

Does that mean he returned too soon last autumn? "I don't think I came back too quickly. I'd like to have had more game time before I played for England but I don't think anyone would have turned the invitation down. I love playing for England and it's been my ambition since I was 10 or 11 years old." It sounds as if his relationship with the national management is slowly improving.

"It was a bit of a disappointment going away with the Saxons and being on the bench in the final game but it was a well-run trip and I learned a lot. It also gave me an extra drive when I came back to full training. I've spoken to Brian Smith [England's attack coach] but it's about the first couple of games against Quins and Bath. That's my stage and if I play well for Wasps I'll hopefully get selected for England." Either maturity has struck or Martin Johnson's policy of leaving  Cipriani out of the senior squad has had the desired effect.

Nor does he seem so trapped these days in the glare of tabloid fame, the inevitable consequence of his relationship with the actress and model Kelly Brook. "It's a bit of a shock to the system when you're young but I'm dealing with it. You can't go within yourself and stop being you. You do feel a bit hurt by it – you can't not – but it's about looking forward to the new season and playing the best rugby I can. I truly believe things are looking good." All Wasps – and England – can do is hold their collective breath and trust he is right.