French trio will launch bids to sign up Cipriani
DaNNY CIPRIaNI is being pursued by three leading French clubs, all vying to lure the fly-half across the Channel when his wasps contract expires next summer.
Sportsmail understands that Toulon, stade Francais and lyon are all keen to sign the 30-year-old master playmaker, who returned from injury last weekend with an imperious display to help his club beat leicester at the Ricoh arena.
sources in France have indicated that all three clubs see Cipriani as a priority transfer target and have the resources to put forward compelling offers.
Yet, what they cannot provide for him is the option of being available to England — due to the RFu’s edict against selecting players based abroad.
while his last Test appearance came in a pre-2015 world Cup warm-up, Cipriani is thought to retain a fervent desire to reignite an international career which, based on his talent, should have yielded far more than a modest tally of 14 caps.
since Eddie Jones took charge of the national team two years ago, the selection door has stayed stubbornly shut. However, Cipriani has trained with the senior England squad and toured south africa with the saxons in June last year – winning acclaim for his exploits as the country’s second- string side beat the springbok a team 2-0.
The start of the six Nations early next year will mark a decade since the gifted prodigy announced himself at Test level with a debut against wales at Twickenham, followed by a stunning display at No 10 against Ireland, after he had been picked ahead of Jonny wilkinson.
There have been countless ups and downs in the intervening 10 years, but Cipriani emphatically revived his career and his reputation at sale. He has continued to thrive after returning to wasps, his first club.
They secured his services despite concerted attempts by Toulon to tempt him to the Cote d’azur and again the same conundrum looms.
There is understood to be interest from rival Premiership clubs too, but Eddie Jones may hold the key to the big call; whether Cipriani should stay at home or move to the Top 14. any faint hope of an England recall would surely lead him to reject his wealthy suitors.