Sale Sharks fly half Danny Cipriani will not be making a shock return to west London with Harlequins, says Stoop director of rugby Conor O’Shea.

The 27-year-old, out of contract with Sale Sharks at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to the former Premiership champions with current number 10 Nick Evans nearing retirement.

Cipriani, who grew up in Raynes Park and started his career at Rosslyn Park before his rise to prominence at Wasps, is in line for an England recall for the forthcoming Six Nations, having held talks with head coach Stuart Lancaster.

He is reported to be weighing up a move to French Top 14 side Toulon – a switch that would almost certainly end any hope of appearing in the World Cup – with remaining in England, a decision he is expected to confirm next week.

The Sharks are confident of keeping hold of their man and O’Shea has confirmed Quins are not in the running for his signature.

Like Cipriani, Quins number eight Nick Easter’s, current form – and Gloucester forward Ben Morgan’s broken leg – has put him in the running for a return to the international scene nearly four years since his last cap.

The 36-year-old also received a visit from Lancaster this week and has repeated his desire to play for England stating he had “unfinished business” at the highest level.

Lancaster unveils his squad next week.