Squad’s talent made decision an easy one
DANNY Cipriani insists the talent in Gloucester’s squad made his decision to join the club the most exciting move of his career.
The summer arrival from Wasps has revealed four other Premiership clubs made approaches for him on the day he was recalled to the England squad for the summer tour of South Africa.
But he was convinced to sign for the Cherry and Whites.
He said: “When I look at the playing staff, that’s why I felt it was the most exciting move.
“I looked at who they’ve got at their disposal, they’ve obviously got a fantastic back line but for me I always look at the forward pack and there’s some big bruisers, some real talent, some young talent and some experienced heads.
“That for me was the most exciting part of this team.”
He continued: “You add the history that comes with it, the stadium, the fact they’ve just relaid the pitch and they’re investing into the club.
“And then getting into training, the little details of how good the chef is, how good the environment is.
“All these things that I wasn’t to know and I experienced in the first week. It’s all been very positive for me and I’m enjoying it.”
Cipriani’s exit from Wasps was confirmed in February and looked set to move abroad until his international hopes were reignited by his England recall.
The 30-year-old, who is staying with centre Henry Trinder says he knew Kingsholm was the best place for him after meeting with director of rugby David Humphreys and head coach Johan Ackermann.
“I had the luxury of signing pretty late so I got to see who had joined already so I knew on top of the already talented squad they had who they added and I feel like Johan signed extremely well in that way,” said Cipriani.
“When I got announced in the (England) squad, my agent had four different calls from Premiership clubs excluding Gloucester.
“For me it was about meeting Johan and David. I could see the talent they had on paper but meeting those two guys I knew it was the right decision for me.”
Cipriani, who is expected to make his first Gloucester appearance in the preseason friendly against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, hopes he can help a club that is often described as “a sleeping giant” make strides forward and challenge at the top end of the Premiership.
“Gloucester have always had a strong team and I think it’s just realising how good we can be,” said Cipriani.
“When you get into that circle of being a good, young exciting squad at some point you’ve got to try and kick on and hopefully I can do everything I can to make sure these players and myself we do that.
“Exeter and Saracens are dominating everything so it’s down to everybody else to try and catch up and set the bar which is going to be massively difficult o do but if we can fulfil potential who knows how far that is.
“These next three weeks are vital in how far we can go.”