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This is Danny Cipriani's new club and he is set to sign this week - reports

By Online Editors
Danny Cipriani

After months of speculation, Danny Cipriani has found his next club and is set to sign this week – according to reports.

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The Telegraph are now reporting that Cipriani is set to sign for Gloucester Rugby.

As reported by RugbyPass and a number of other publications this weekend, the star flyhalf had been linked with the West Country club but The Telegraph are now reporting that the deal is going ahead.

Despite their bitter Challenge Cup final loss to Cardiff Blues on Friday night, the side are already guaranteed Champions Cup rugby next year.

With Owen Williams out with injury and set to miss Wales’ summer tour, Gloucester have been largely relying on a mix of Billy Burns and Billy Twelvetrees at pivot.

Cipriani had also recently been linked to both Bath and even a move back to the Sale Sharks. The Daily Mail reported that he had been linked with a move back to his former club after a deal with former Ulster 10 Paddy Jackson apparently fell through.

According to reports Jackson had signed a deal worth more than £340,000 before an apparent inquiry by Sale sponsors’ – AJ Bell – saw head coach Steve Diamond reconsider the deal and then publically deny negotiations had ever taken place with the player.

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Cipriani’s selection by England headcoach Eddie Jones guaranteed that the 30-year-old will now stay in the Premiership.

Last week former England international Andy Goode wrote in his RugbyPass column: “I spoke to Danny the other day and he’s basically waiting to see if Eddie Jones picks him before he makes up his mind and finalises where he’s going to be next season.”

Speaking on Thursday, Jones rationalised his apparent u-turn on the mercurial talent: “Life is full of contradictions and three games ago I was the best thing that ever happened to English rugby and now I am the worst thing that ever happened to English rugby. You media guys are allowed to be contradictory and so I’m allowed. He can add value to the squad at this stage.

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“Danny has not had a recall – I have never picked him so I have for the first time. I have watched him very closely and he deserves an opportunity and has done things I have asked him to do in games. He has to prove he is the best No10 in the squad or No15. We wouldn’t have picked him if we didn’t think so.”

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Lawrence Dallaglio, who captained Cipriani during his first spell at Wasps, told RugbyPass this week: “Danny hasn’t had a chance under Eddie Jones. Maybe up to now, Eddie has formed his opinion on Danny based on what people have been telling him rather than finding out himself. Now Eddie has the chance to work with him one on one and see Danny in a squad environment and that is all you can ask as a player.

“Danny knows there is a culture and a way England players behave on and off the field and I am sure he will buy into that and it is about celebrating difference. At Wasps we were very comfortable with people expressing their personality on the field and that is what Danny does because he is different.

“It is pretty clear that Owen Farrell has been picked as an out and out No12 although he can pay No10 and it will be wonderful to see the Cipriani/Farrell combination working for England. There is also the opportunity to pick Danny at fullback where he collected a Heineken Cup winners medal with Wasps in 2007.

“What Eddie says in public and in private are probably two different things and I am sure he has been in conversation with Danny. He has been picked on merit because he is one of the best players in the Premiership.

“He thoroughly deserves his opportunity and he can do things no other flyhalf even tries. Clearly that is something Eddie Jones has decided to bring into the squad and England are taking a new attacking coach to South Africa because since Jonathan Joseph scored two tries against Scotland a couple of years ago, England haven’t offered a huge amount in attack. They have looked a bit predictable and need to shake things up and the inclusion of Danny is very welcome.”

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The former Sale Sharks and Melbourne Rebels pivot is to be replaced by All Black Lima Sopaga at Wasps next season.

Upon the news breaking that he was leaving Wasps the 30-year-old reflected that: “I will be sad to leave Wasps, but my job is far from finished and I can promise the fans my absolute all until the end of the season as we tackle the mission ahead of us.

“I will now take some time to decide my next move.”

Cipriani made 95 appearances for Wasps in his first stint at the club, before moving to Australia to spend two seasons with the Melbourne Rebels (2011-12), returning to England in 2012 to join Sale Sharks.

He returned to Wasps where brought his total appearances to 143 over the course of the last two seasons.

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A
Adrian 22 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

6 Go to comments
T
Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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