Gloucester confirm Danny Cipriani signing
Danny Cipriani has opted to stay in England
©PA
Gloucester Rugby has confirmed that England international Danny Cipriani will join the Premiership club ahead of the 2018/19 season.
The 30-year-old made his professional rugby debut with Wasps in 2006 and rejoined the Ricoh Arena outfit in 2016 after representing Sale Sharks between 2012 and 2016. He also had a brief spell with Melbourne Rebels during the 2011/12 season.
His move to Gloucester will mean that he is still eligible for England selection and was earlier recalled by Eddie Jones in the squad for the tour of South Africa following his consistent performances for Wasps in the ongoing season.
Ex-England fly-half Paul Grayson sees the move from Cipriani as a step to revive his international career.
"He obviously will have had offers from overseas," he told BBC Radio 5. "There will be routes much easier for him to give up his England dream and walk away from this country.
"But to get picked for the tour of South Africa this summer means the door is wide open. If he wants to play for England he must play here.
"Sale did him a favour and he lit it up at Wasps - now Gloucester get the opportunity to have his mercurial talent."
Meanwhile, Cipriani will be hoping to sign off from Wasps on a high and look forward to his new stint with Gloucester.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing at Kingsholm and am excited at the prospect of spending the next few years in Cherry and White and playing in front of the Shed.
“Having spoken in depth with David Humphreys and Johan Ackermann, the future they have planned for the club is enticing and one that I very much want to be part of. It’s the most exciting move of my career to date.
“I’ve still some important rugby to play for Wasps in the meantime and, when the time comes, it’s probably going to be an emotional farewell.
“But that’s the modern game, we’ll part on good terms and wish each other well for the future. The next chapter of my career will be as a Gloucester Rugby player and I’m really looking forward to it.”
