This is Danny Cipriani's new club and he is set to sign this week - reports
After months of speculation, Danny Cipriani has found his next club and is set to sign this week – according to reports.
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.”
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.
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments