Cipriani reveals fan chat

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DANNY Cipriani has given an insight into Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann’s methods to get the best out of his side.

Appearing as a guest on BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight, fly-half Cipriani recalled how two fans - one around 30-years-old and his granddad - were invited into the dressing room before a game to deliver a team talk.

“There was one game where he brought in two fans into the changing room before the game and they spoke,” said Cipriani.

“You could tell they were nervous because it’s a nerve-wracking situation but they delivered what it meant to them.

“You can see in their eyes and the way they delivered it, it was their bonding time, it’s their time they come together.

“That shows that side of it, that’s that 16th man, that’s The Shed, that’s that Kingsholm mentality and the best thing we can do is give them hope and that’s what we have to do when we get back into the season.”

Cipriani has become a fans’ favourite since joining Gloucester from Wasps and spoke about what he enjoys most about playing for the club.

“I definitely think it’s the interaction between the coaches and the players and the camaraderie,” he said.

“The thing with Gloucester is the team community feel, it’s a city where rugby is everything.

“I’ve been on the end of The Shed in different games but now having them behind you is phenomenal and I really enjoy that.”

Cipriani said he feels like he’s approaching his prime as a player at the age of 31 and “the desire’s still fully within me” to play for England again after being left out of the recent Six Nations squad.

He added: “I think the parts of my game that are good and I’m loving my time at Gloucester to be able to go out and represent the club to the best of my ability and if England comes with that it would be amazing.”