Cipriani eyes next move
DANNY CIPRIANI is expected to finalise his plans for next season and beyond by the end of this month, with the fly-half weighing up contract offers from English, French and Japanese clubs. Wasps yesterday confirmed the open secret that the 30-year-old will leave when his deal expires at the end of the current campaign. Director of rugby Dai Young has already signed All Black Lima Sopoaga to take his place. Cipriani says he will ‘take some time to decide my next move’. He has long held out hope of reviving his England career but Eddie Jones has restricted him to occasional involvement in training camps and a tour with the Saxons. Cipriani has won just 14 caps since his debut a decade ago — a remarkably modest tally for such a supreme attacking talent. In recent years, he has lit up the English game, first with Sale and latterly with Wasps. But his last Test appearance came in the pre-2015 World Cup clash with France in Paris before he missed the cut for that tournament. If he is resigned to winning no further England honours, there is a strong chance Cipriani will see out his career abroad. Cipriani said on Twitter: ‘Sadness will most likely be the overriding emotion, come the end of May. But I am also hoping mixed with sadness will be a lot of joy, as the job isn’t finished yet.’