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Free agent Cipriani admits he 'might never play again'
By Ian Cameron
Former England flyhalf Danny Cipriani says despite being physically in the best shape of his life, he might never play another professional game.
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Capped 16 times for England over the span of a decade, the headline-grabbing Cipriani says he could have played his last game of rugby union or could have ‘his best rugby’ ahead of him.
Cipriani left his Bath contract early at the end of last season and was fated to take up a new deal overseas, a scenario which never materialised. His most recent outing was with Barbarians during the November Test window but things have been relatively quiet in the two months since he featured for the invitational side.
“There’s no on the horizon at the minute,” Cipriani told the RugbyPass Offload Podcast. “I’m just keeping it fit and enjoying my training.
“I think the best part at the moment is your whole career you’re told how to train, what to do, and so on and so. I’m away from that, I’ve enjoyed my fitness, my movement more than ever. It’s really enjoyable. Playing lots of football.”
The former Wasps, Melbourne Rebels, Sale Sharks, Gloucester and Bath star also revealed he is doing informal training sessions with England great Jonny Wilkinson.
The former teenage phenom, who is currently open to offers but apparently satisfied with his lot in life at the moment, was asked which team he’d join if given a choice of any professional outfit. He chose Ronan O’Gara’s Top 14 giants, La Rochelle.
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“Right now? La Rochelle maybe,” said Cipriani. “[Ronan O’Gara] As a player, wasn’t the most expressive player, but he’s transformed himself. He’s now a student of the game. Knows the ins and out of the game, he coaches in a way that brings that freedom of expression, that allows the boys to go and do it and he does it in a foreign country.
“He’s obviously doing it to a high level.”
The conversation turned to the Gallagher Premiership and who he could potentially play for, although he refused to be drawn on any specific club.
“I like Pat Lam (Bristol Bears’ director of rugby), I know it’s his way or the highway. I know he’s a great guy.
“I think Quins play in a good way.
“For a coach to sign me they feel like I’m going to come in and change things. That’s what I was like and that’s what I was doing, but what I could add and what I could bring is so different now.
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“I also feel my best rugby could be in front of me,” said the 35-year-old. “Or I might never play again. And physically, I feel world-class.
Cipriani revealed that he and England great Wilkinson meet weekly to train informally and
“I kick and mess about. I shoot basketball once a week with Jonny Wilkinson. We did kicking a couple of days ago… He’s an exceptional human. We talk about life man.
“We do kicking together. I really enjoy it a lot. I get a lot out of it.”
