Cipriani, Morgan on the radar of French clubs

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GLOUCESTER fly-half Danny Cipriani is reportedly attracting interest from clubs in France after being left out of England’s Six Nations squad.

Cipriani’s current contract runs out at the end of the 2019-20 season but he is already in talks with Gloucester about extending that deal.

He moved to Kingsholm from Wasps last summer, turning down lucrative offers from overseas after earning an England recall for the summer tour to South Africa.

Cipriani made his first international start in 10 years against the Springboks and attended a training squad at the start of the season but has been overlooked by England head coach Eddie Jones since.

According to the Mail, big-spending French giants Clermont and Toulon are keeping tabs on Cipriani’s situation.

Speaking recently about his future on Will Greenwood’s rugby podcast on Sky Sports, Cipriani said: “I’m chatting with Gloucester now. We’re in talks about the next couple of years.

“I’m enjoying my time here so it’s definitely something I’m looking at.”

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has also spoken about his desire to tie down Cipriani’s future.

“It’s a big compliment if a player of his quality wants to stay with us,” said Ackermann. “So, it’s a positive for us, and hopefully, it can be done, but it’s not up to me.”

In-form number eight Ben Morgan is also reportedly attracting interest in France.

According to The Rugby Paper, Morgan’s name has been circulating around the Top 14.

Former Dursley youth player Morgan has been at Gloucester since making the move from the Scarlets in 2012.

The 29-year-old trained with England earlier this season ahead of the autumn internationals but picked up an injury and was not selected for the Six Nations squad last week.

It is unlikely that Gloucester would let Morgan go without a fight and he is also settled in the area with a young family and his scaffolding business.