Cipriani set for Sale as fly-half eyes resurrection
ENGLAND outcast Danny Cipriani is poised to confirm his return to the Premiership with Sale as the wayward star looks to resurrect his international career – just days after his latest off-field scrape.
Cipriani, who has been playing for Melbourne Rebels in the southern hemisphere’s Super 15 league since 2010, is believed to be in advanced talks to join Sale this summer on a three-year contract.
The move would put the 24-year-old back in the frame for international selection, with England chiefs committed to only picking home-based players, and reunite him with Sale’s former Wasps coach Tony Hanks.
It comes amid fresh scrutiny of the fly-half’s behaviour away from the pitch, following allegations that he was one of three players in a car that ran off the road and into a parked vehicle on Friday. Cipriani’s time in Australia has already seen him fined for a nightclub incident and then banned by the Rebels for a month for repeatedly breaking curfews, although he says his misdemeanours have been overplayed.
Sale and England winger Mark Cueto confirmed that director of rugby Steve Diamond was working to make Cipriani the revitalised club’s latest high-profile capture.
“I know we’ve signed a couple of players for next season, and one of them is [Scotland lock] Richie Gray, who’s going to be a fantastic signing,” said Cueto. “But I know he is looking at signing a couple more and Cips [Cipriani] is obviously one of them.”
TIMLINE | CIPRIANI’S CAREER
Dec 04: Makes Wasps debut aged 17
2007: Helps Saxons win Churchill Cup
Mar 08: Axed on eve of first England start after enjoying a late night
Oct 08: Returns to England set-up after broken ankle but is later dropped
09: Misses autumn Tests through injury
Feb 10: Announces he will move to Melbourne Rebels in summer
May 11: Suspended by Rebels for curfew breach but finishes season as top scorer