WASPS HAVE CONFIRMED that Danny Cipriani will return to the club next season, six years after departing.
The England international out-half will join the Coventry-based club this summer from current club Sale Sharks.
Cipriani in action against Leinster for Wasps in 2009. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
28-year-old Cipriani has been in excellent form for the Sharks this season, but missed out on inclusion in Eddie Jones’ England squad for the Six Nations. He had been linked with a move to Toulon in the Top 14, but has opted to return to Wasps.
Cipriani came through the Wasps’ academy as a youth, making his senior debut for the Premiership club when still a teenager. They playmaker joined the Melbourne Rebels before the 2011 Super Rugby season, spending two campaigns in Australia before a return to England with Sale.
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His club career has now come full circle and Cipriani will add to Wasps’ out-half stocks alongside former Leinster man Jimmy Gopperth and Ruaridh Jackson.
Wasps currently suit fourth in the Premiership and have already secured the signings Ireland prop Marty Moore and Sale hooker Tommy Taylor ahead of next season.
We have always been keen for Danny to return to Wasps and I’m really pleased that our Wasps’ fans, many of whom supported Danny as a young lad here, will be able to see him in a Wasps’ shirt again,” said Wasps director of rugby Dai Young.
“Everyone knows how talented a player Danny is and how much his game has developed since he made such an impact for England at a young age. As well as his obvious attacking attributes, Danny has matured as a player and controls the game well as a 10.
“At 28, there is still plenty more to come from him, so we are looking forward to seeing the contribution he will make in a Wasps’ shirt, alongside our other talented fly halves, in the exciting backline we have.”
Cipriani has 14 England caps. Andrew Matthews
Andrew Matthews
Cipriani stated his pleasure to be making the move back to Wasps.
“I’m excited about returning to Wasps next season. For me, it really does feel like coming home. In the professional era, players naturally move clubs more frequently than they used to, but I still feel such a strong connection with Wasps.
“It’s where I learned my trade, alongside incredible players like Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Alex King, Fraser Waters, Josh Lewsey and Paul Sackey. I have such good memories of that period in my life, I feel much more equipped to handle and deal with the expectation that comes when you put on the black and gold jersey.
There’s something about Wasps which always draws you in. ‘Once a Wasp, always a Wasp’ is more than just a saying when you’ve been part of the club. I feel next season will be the right time for a new challenge, at a club which in my heart will always feel like a second home, where I know I will settle quickly.”
“It’s brilliant to see how the club has re-built over the past couple of seasons. The potential of the squad that Dai [Young] has developed is really exciting and I have been impressed by the ambition Wasps has shown since Derek Richardson took over and stabilised things.
“I’m really looking forward to playing alongside guys I started my career with, like James Haskell, Joe Simpson, Christian Wade and Elliot Daly, in a squad that loves to play attacking, expansive rugby.”
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Danny Cipriani's return home to Wasps has been officially confirmed
WASPS HAVE CONFIRMED that Danny Cipriani will return to the club next season, six years after departing.
The England international out-half will join the Coventry-based club this summer from current club Sale Sharks.
28-year-old Cipriani has been in excellent form for the Sharks this season, but missed out on inclusion in Eddie Jones’ England squad for the Six Nations. He had been linked with a move to Toulon in the Top 14, but has opted to return to Wasps.
Cipriani came through the Wasps’ academy as a youth, making his senior debut for the Premiership club when still a teenager. They playmaker joined the Melbourne Rebels before the 2011 Super Rugby season, spending two campaigns in Australia before a return to England with Sale.
His club career has now come full circle and Cipriani will add to Wasps’ out-half stocks alongside former Leinster man Jimmy Gopperth and Ruaridh Jackson.
Wasps currently suit fourth in the Premiership and have already secured the signings Ireland prop Marty Moore and Sale hooker Tommy Taylor ahead of next season.
“Everyone knows how talented a player Danny is and how much his game has developed since he made such an impact for England at a young age. As well as his obvious attacking attributes, Danny has matured as a player and controls the game well as a 10.
“At 28, there is still plenty more to come from him, so we are looking forward to seeing the contribution he will make in a Wasps’ shirt, alongside our other talented fly halves, in the exciting backline we have.”
Cipriani stated his pleasure to be making the move back to Wasps.
“I’m excited about returning to Wasps next season. For me, it really does feel like coming home. In the professional era, players naturally move clubs more frequently than they used to, but I still feel such a strong connection with Wasps.
“It’s where I learned my trade, alongside incredible players like Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Alex King, Fraser Waters, Josh Lewsey and Paul Sackey. I have such good memories of that period in my life, I feel much more equipped to handle and deal with the expectation that comes when you put on the black and gold jersey.
“It’s brilliant to see how the club has re-built over the past couple of seasons. The potential of the squad that Dai [Young] has developed is really exciting and I have been impressed by the ambition Wasps has shown since Derek Richardson took over and stabilised things.
“I’m really looking forward to playing alongside guys I started my career with, like James Haskell, Joe Simpson, Christian Wade and Elliot Daly, in a squad that loves to play attacking, expansive rugby.”
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