Cipriani will compete with Leicester's Toby Flood for the fly-half shirt while Abendanon, who has been in eye-catching form for Bath, will provide extra competiton at full-back.

BBC: Cipriani returns to England squad

Hopley contrasted Williams' 12-month ban with the less severe punishments handed out to South Africa flanker Schalk Burger for eye-gouging and to former Bath lock Justin Harrison for admitting three drug-related charges.

BBC: Players' boss slams Williams ban

Another challenge is protecting the implant in the eye, since it essentially has to sit in a bath of organic liquid.

WSJ: The Quest to Create A Bionic Eye Gets Clearer