Video: Cipriani explains why he chose Gloucester

Danny Cipriani says his international recall for the tour to South Africa “made the decision for me to stay in England”.

The Wasps flyhalf had been linked to a host of clubs both home and abroad, but the phone call from Eddie Jones enticed him to remain in the Premiership.

Cipriani has 14 caps to his name, however his last start for England was in 2008.

“Yeah I was waiting on a call-up and it definitely wasn’t expected and it happened. Obviously it made the decision for me to stay in England. It didn’t necessarily mean I was definitely going abroad, but it was something I was still looking at. I was in a difficult position having to put clubs off for a while and kept doing it, so it was timely and I am very grateful for the call-up.”

“I played rugby my whole life to try and play for England, I have had moments when it has been there and moments when it has not. When you are younger you don’t quite savour the moments and now in this time of your career – I am just coming into my prime – you really do appreciate those moments, whether it be training days or matchdays, you are much more in the here-and-now and that is something I am thoroughly enjoying.”

Cipriani was linked to his former club Sale Sharks, along with Bath, but in the end he picked Gloucester and explained why.

“It was after meeting David Humphries and Johan Ackermann and seeing the vision that they had for the squad and the squad that they are building, it was definitely enticing and it was something that I feel will be a great challenge for next season.”

Gloucester will be playing Champions Cup rugby next season and will be desperate to move on from their devastating loss to Cardiff in the Challenge Cup final.

And Gloucester fans will be delighted to hear that 30-year-old Cipriani still feels that his game can progress further.

“There is definitely more to come, there is always time to keep learning, to keep getting better, keep improving, that is something I am adamant on and focused on. So I keep making sure I do my self-analysis, analysis with coaches and getting the learning points and keep improving. There are definitely areas I can keep improving on.”

Cipriani will be vying with Owen Williams and Billy Burns for the 10 shirt, while Billy Twelvetrees has also slotted in while covering for the injured Williams this season.

In the meantime Cipriani is focusing on a successful finish with Wasps, starting with the Premiership semi-final with Saracens this weekend.

“I am very excited about what is coming, but you know there is peaks and troughs and highs and lows and you can’t ride the wave too high or too low, so I am just making sure I stay even keel to play on Saturday.”

“We are very excited as a club to be going to a semi-final again and we know as a group the that is challenge ahead of us, to make sure we can get into the final. It is definitely going to be mammouth task, but the boys are definitely up for the challenge.”

“We’ve definitely had our challenges with many injuries and bans that have come in the way, but from it to ride it out and watch one of our favourite players in Sam Jones having to retire which was tough on the squad and to ride it out and get to the playoffs – it has been an enjoyable season. For myself I probably enjoyed it more than last season even though we finished top, just because we showed the grit and determination to get into the playoffs.”