With England selection in bag, a new club emerges in race to sign Cipriani

Having been selected to tour South Africa with England, a new club has now emerged in the race to sign Danny Cipriani.

Wasps confirmed that Cipriani would leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season and the talented playmaker has been considering his options since.

Cipriani’s selection by England headcoach Eddie Jones all but guarantees that the 30-year-old will now stay in the Premiership.

Last week former England international Andy Goode wrote in his RugbyPass column: “I spoke to Danny the other day and he’s basically waiting to see if Eddie Jones picks him before he makes up his mind and finalises where he’s going to be next season.”

Speaking on Thursday, Jones rationalised his apparent u-turn on the mercurial talent: “Life is full of contradictions and three games ago I was the best thing that ever happened to English rugby and now I am the worst thing that ever happened to English rugby. You media guys are allowed to be contradictory and so I’m allowed. He can add value to the squad at this stage.

“Danny has not had a recall – I have never picked him so I have for the first time. I have watched him very closely and he deserves an opportunity and has done things I have asked him to do in games. He is has to prove he is the best No10 in the squad or No15. We wouldn’t have picked him if we didn’t think so.”

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In recent weeks he had been linked to Bath, though many have questioned the logic of move considering the club’s current personnel.

Bath already have two top-level 10s in the form of in-form former Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland and Freddie Burns, both of whom are in the middle of contracts with the club.

However West Country rivals Gloucester has now been linked with the playmaker.

With Owen Williams out with injury and set to miss Wales’ summer tour, Gloucester have been largely relying on a mix of Billy Burns and Billy Twelvetrees at 10.

Despite their loss last night the side are already guaranteed Champions Cup rugby next year and could prove an attractive proposition for Cipriani.

The former Sale Sharks and Melbourne Rebels pivot is to be replaced by All Black Lima Sopaga at Wasps next season.

Upon the news breaking that he was leaving Wasps the 30-year-old reflected that: “I will be sad to leave Wasps, but my job is far from finished and I can promise the fans my absolute all until the end of the season as we tackle the mission ahead of us.

“I will now take some time to decide my next move.”

Cipriani made 95 appearances for Wasps in his first stint at the club, before moving to Australia to spend two seasons with the Melbourne Rebels (2011-12), returning to England in 2012 to join Sale Sharks.

He returned to Wasps where brought his total appearances to 143 over the course of the last two seasons.