>> Bath must wait for Cips
BATH have emerged as the favourites to land former England international Danny Cipriani, but it looks like they will have to wait until next season to lure him to The Rec.
Cipriani has been out of the game since leaving Bath’s arch West Country rivals Gloucester in December and has been thinking over his options.
The 33-year-old is being lined up by under-pressure Bath boss Stuart Hopper who is set to lose Rhys Priestland at the end of the season.
Hooper eased some of the pressure on his shoulders with Friday’s win at Sale Sharks after rumours swirling around last week were that Bath had lined up Dean Richards as a replacement.
Cipriani is clearly in demand with Richards understood to be keen on taking him to Newcastle to provide a succession link between Toby Flood and Brett Cannon.
Bath recently signed Tian Schoeman from the Cheetahs and were said to be interested in Marcus Smith who signed a new long-term deal with Harlequins last week. French sides Clermont and Lyon were knocked back by Smith who didn’t want to rule himself out of England selection.
Toyota Jido Shokki Shuttles are among a handful of Japanese Top League sides looking for a quality fly-half.
But their interest depends on what is happening with Freddie Burns who has been linked with Leicester Tigers and is attracting interest from Clermont and Lyon.