Cipriani happy at Wasps

England fly-half plays down speculation of a move to France

Last updated: 30th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cipriani happy at Wasps

Cipriani: Happy at Wasps

I'm happy here and we have a squad to move forward.

Danny Cipriani
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SKY BET ODDS
Sky Bet have given odds as 8/11 Danny Cipriani will remain playing in England next season.
Despite the reported interest from Stade, Cipriani is just evens to switch to the Top 14 for the start fo next season.
Sky Bet's rugby union odds copiler Dave Sykes said: "Although his contract with Wasps expires in the summer, we feel the Stade Francais offer has come a little too early in the career of the 22-year-old and he'll be better of suited to staying in the English domestic competition."
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Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani has insisted that he is "happy" at Adams Park, despite speculation he is set for a move to France.

Reports from across the Channel claimed the 22-year-old had held talks with Stade Francais over a switch to Paris when his current deal at Wasps expires in the summer.

However despite the obvious lure of teaming up with former Wasps colleague James Haskell and Tom Palmer at Stade, Cipriani insists he is concentrating solely on regaining his form.

"I'm just focused on my rugby at the moment," said Cipriani. "I'm happy here and we have a squad to move forward."

Amazing

Cipriani returned to the Wasps starting XV for the first time since October when he starred in the 21-20 victory Harlequins at Twickenham.

And although he struggled with the boot - missing five out of seven shots at goal - Cipriani is hoping that a good run of form will see him force his way back in the England set-up.

Cipriani, who faces competition from the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Shane Geraghty, Stephen Myler and Andy Goode for the England No.10 jersey, said: "My big focus is taking the line on again and going forward.

"I'll hopefully put a string of games together for Wasps.

"If England come calling then that would be amazing because I'd love to be involved."

Comments (9)

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Gray L says...

I fully agree with Freddie Calder, you have to accept that players need game time to improve, you cant keep switching players because of one or two average showings or how do you expect them to ever improve? I think the best thing for Wasps, and English rugby in general, is to stick with people, give younger players time to make mistakes and learn from them, you cant call up the 2003 world cup winning squad every time a young team makes mistakes or loses. I recon England need to look at the long term, let the guys lose a 6 Nations, let them have some bad games, but stick with them, show them support, coach out the issues, get guys like Cipriani, who have some flair, up to the quality of Wilkinsons place kicking, heck, make Wilkinson kicking coach. Constantly chaning a player because of a bad performance is often counter productive, obviously a three strike rule or similar should apply, but if a player doesnt play well, coach him, work on his weaknesses, assess his improvement, and if he's working hard and improving, get him out there again. Im a fan of Cipriani, he shows the sort of flar that can inspire players and hopefully Wasps stick with him.

Posted 11:32 30th December 2009

Bill Morton says...

I'm afraid I can't see what all the fuss is about with Cipriani. He's a good player, no doubt, but he certainly doesn't deserve all the attention he gets. If he breaks wind we read about here. I wish the contributors would spend more time writing about players who are doing the business rather than those who haven't come up with the goods. It is not his fault that everyone is obsessed with him but please give us a break.

Posted 11:14 30th December 2009

Bob Howarth says...

DAVE WALDER MUST BE THE MOST UNDERATED PLAYER IN THE WORLD, IT SAY'S A LOT FOR HIS CHARACTOR HE COME'S OFF THE BENCH AND OUTSHINE'S THE MAN HE HAS REPLACED, NO HISTRYONICS JUST A SOLID 100% TEAM MAN COME ON ENGLAND SELCTOR'S WAKEUP

Posted 05:32 30th December 2009

T H says...

Nick Evans was rubbish too! Sounds like he responded to a media question and has been taken out of context - if anyone of us where asked at a post match interview how they would react to being picked for England then they would say it would be amazing

Posted 21:02 29th December 2009

Andy M says...

I was at the Quins v Wasps game at Twickenham - sure Cipriani's kicking was no where near what it needs to be - but as a first start after his injury he did more good than bad. With Danny back, Wasps have a heap of positional options at 10, 15 and in the centres. With the likes of Gizzy, Simpson and Walder showing some excellent form - plus the great rotation with the centres, we should see that he finds his form in no time. All this BS about Danny's time with the media gets a little wearing after a while - surely people realise that he's a confidence player and part of that is to talk up his chances of an England recall. As a Wasps fan, the last thing I really want is for Johnson to call him up for the 6 nations - we're on a roll and the less players that we lose to international duty the better. On a broader note - So far we've heard that Paul Sackey and Danny are rumoured to be leaving Wasps at the end of the season - but with the salary cap about to come into place in the French leagues I'm not so sure that the incentives will be still there - also if Wasps continue as they are and secure a high place finish in the GP and thereafter a Heineken place for next year why on earth would they want to leave.

Posted 18:40 29th December 2009

Freddie Calder says...

Im sorry Bob Andrew, but Danny Cipriani is probably the most flair fly half to be amongst the England ranks for years. He would contribute so much to our attack, instead of the usual kicking for field position and low scoring, losing, boring rugby. He had an attacking mindset, and plays far flatter than wilkinson. True, wilkinson is our 'saviour' but he also inhibits the attack. Just watch the recent new zealand and argentina games. Cipriani may have missed 5 kicks but he had just come back from an injury so he is rusty. If no one gives him a chance or time, then english rugby will continue down the same road, and ultimately, another poor show in the 6 nations. Lets see him progress for wasps, and win another title, come on boys. And if im wrong, walder can step in instead.

Posted 16:30 29th December 2009

William Sheldrake says...

He may be happy, but are Wasps? Dave Walder has performed admirably so far this season, and would be the first choice No 10 jersey for many Premiership clubs, but D.C.? On Saturday´s showing he would be pressed to find a place with a Championship side.

Posted 14:36 29th December 2009

Ollie J says...

He missed 5 out of 7 goal attempts. That's pathetic! If he wants to get back into the national team he shoul perhaps spend more time on the practice pitch and less time chatting to the media about international call-ups.

Posted 12:52 29th December 2009

Bob Andrew says...

I don't know why Cipriani get's press coverage at all. If he can miss 5 out of 7 attepts at goal for his club, what makes him think he has any hope of playing international rugby again. Come on Skysports, no more slow news days.

Posted 11:41 29th December 2009
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