Video: Cipriani explains why he chose Gloucester
Danny Cipriani says his international recall for the tour to South Africa “made the decision for me to stay in England”.
The Wasps flyhalf had been linked to a host of clubs both home and abroad, but the phone call from Eddie Jones enticed him to remain in the Premiership.
Cipriani has 14 caps to his name, however his last start for England was in 2008.
“Yeah I was waiting on a call-up and it definitely wasn’t expected and it happened. Obviously it made the decision for me to stay in England. It didn’t necessarily mean I was definitely going abroad, but it was something I was still looking at. I was in a difficult position having to put clubs off for a while and kept doing it, so it was timely and I am very grateful for the call-up.”
“I played rugby my whole life to try and play for England, I have had moments when it has been there and moments when it has not. When you are younger you don’t quite savour the moments and now in this time of your career – I am just coming into my prime – you really do appreciate those moments, whether it be training days or matchdays, you are much more in the here-and-now and that is something I am thoroughly enjoying.”
Cipriani was linked to his former club Sale Sharks, along with Bath, but in the end he picked Gloucester and explained why.
“It was after meeting David Humphries and Johan Ackermann and seeing the vision that they had for the squad and the squad that they are building, it was definitely enticing and it was something that I feel will be a great challenge for next season.”
Gloucester will be playing Champions Cup rugby next season and will be desperate to move on from their devastating loss to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup final.
And Gloucester fans will be delighted to hear that 30-year-old Cipriani still feels that his game can progress further.
“There is definitely more to come, there is always time to keep learning, to keep getting better, keep improving, that is something I am adamant on and focused on. So I keep making sure I do my self-analysis, analysis with coaches and getting the learning points and keep improving. There are definitely areas I can keep improving on.”
Cipriani will be vying with Owen Williams and Billy Burns for the 10 shirt, while Billy Twelvetrees has also slotted in while covering for the injured Williams this season.
In the meantime Cipriani is focusing on a successful finish with Wasps, starting with the Premiership semi-final with Saracens this weekend.
“I am very excited about what is coming, but you know there is peaks and troughs and highs and lows and you can’t ride the wave too high or too low, so I am just making sure I stay even keel to play on Saturday.”
“We are very excited as a club to be going to a semi-final again and we know as a group the that is challenge ahead of us, to make sure we can get into the final. It is definitely going to be mammouth task, but the boys are definitely up for the challenge.”
“We’ve definitely had our challenges with many injuries and bans that have come in the way, but from it to ride it out and watch one of our favourite players in Sam Jones having to retire which was tough on the squad and to ride it out and get to the playoffs – it has been an enjoyable season. For myself I probably enjoyed it more than last season even though we finished top, just because we showed the grit and determination to get into the playoffs.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
28 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
28 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
28 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
28 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
28 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
28 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
28 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to commentsTo be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
1 Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
7 Go to comments