Wasps fly-half utterly convinced his best is yet to come
DANNY CIPRIANI approaches the ripe sporting age of 30 utterly convinced the best years of his troubled rugby life still lie ahead.
The fly-half and former golden boy is certain the coming season can be paved with success and silverware for both him and Wasps.
Despite being continually ignored by Eddie Jones and having to watch both England and Lions summer tours on TV, he has not given up hope of forcing his way back onto the international stage in the two years leading to the World Cup.
Cipriani, insists: “I believe I can be an even better player as I reach 30 than I have been before in my career. I just feel there’s a lot of weight off my shoulders and I can go out there and play my best rugby.
“As you get older you learn different life lessons. And, because of what I’ve been through during that time, I am in a very good place in my life.
“I had to handle all the stuff that went on at a very young age. Right now I can look back at it and understand where it went wrong, and speak to different people about things.
“I’m comfortable where I am going, and I am excited about where Wasps are going. You always get a special feeling coming into a new season especially when you see what is happening at your club.
“We have a very strong squad of players, full of experience, talent and potential. The mix is all there. We also have an unbelievable fan base with 30,000 plus turning up at most games, and the Ricoh is a fantastic place to play.
“I made the switch from Sale to Wasps and I certainly don’t regret it. It’s proved a very successful move.
“We were so close to winning the Premiership last season when we lost in the final to Exeter. And from what I’ve seen in pre-season so far we are in even better shape now and going to be even more competitive for the trophies.
“Playing European rugby and in Premiership finals is the closest thing for me right now to international rugby.
“It’s going to be a tough year. There are four or five teams who can do it and we are one of them. Saracens are the strongest English team but Exeter will also fancy their chances of retaining the title, Leicester have made some new signings and could be thereabouts.”
Nine years on from making his England debut, Cipriani has just four starts in his 14 caps. But he insists: “I still want to play for England if given the chance. I will never stop wanting to play international rugby. But that will only come off the back of what I do with Wasps and in developing my game further.
“Eddie Jones has spoken to me. He tells you very directly about what he wants to see from you. He’s the coach and it’s good he is in contact with all players.
“He’s done an incredible job since taking over after the World Cup disappointment.
“He’s brought a new mindset and mentality to the squad and the players have reacted very positively to it.
“It’s just about getting that balance of doing what he wants and doing what your club wants.
“There are a lot of good players in my position who want to be in the England team. I have to try to play better than them to get the chance again.
“Just like when you are the challenger in boxing, you have to go over and beyond to grab that Championship title. You can’t just be simmering below or just the same because they are always going to give the verdict to the champion.
“It feels like you are the underdog and you have to fight your hardest to get that prize. That’s the position I am in. So my job is to play my best for Wasps and do everything I can to get into that position.
“I missed out on the Lions because I’ve not been picked for England. It’s as simple as that. So I have to do my best to change that.
“The best thing I could do was go to Wasps and try to be successful so that it might open the door for me with England again.”