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Wasps confirm Danny Cipriani will move to Melbourne at end of season
Wasps have confirmed that Danny Cipriani will leave the club at the end of the season to join the newly-formed Australian club Melbourne Rebels. The England fly-half has agreed terms with the fledgling Super 15 outfit, ending speculation about his immediate playing future.
"Leaving Wasps is very hard – this is my home, I have played here since I was 15," said the 22-year-old. "It is a very special Club because of what it has achieved and the people who are a part of it. I see this move as the next step in my career and would never rule out coming back to play in England.
"I believe in the coaches and the players here and it will be very difficult to leave, but the decision has been made easier by having the support of Tony [Hanks, the director of rugby], and Shaun [Edwards, the head coach].
Cipriani added: "Moving to Australia will be a new challenge. I have always admired the Super 14 as a tournament and the first team I ever followed was Wellington. I used to wake up and watch Christian Cullen and it was something I had always thought about. I think the opportunity of playing in a completely different tournament against different players at this time in my career will help me develop on and off the field."
Cipriani is expected to earn less in Melbourne than he was being offered at Wasps and has indicated that the decision to move down under has been partly motivated by his inability to currently get back into the England team. He current has seven caps at Test level.
"I have been given no indication that I am pushing for a place with England at the moment so it is up to me to ensure I am in contention in the future by challenging myself in new realms," he said. "I am still young enough to go away and experience something completely different. I want to be the best player I can be and this is a huge challenge and opportunity to test myself, on and off the pitch, because it will be changing everything I know."
A return to Wasps down the line for Cipriani has already been discussed and is something welcomed by club officials.
"Obviously we are disappointed that Danny is leaving, especially as he has worked hard on a return to form on the back of a couple of nasty injuries," said Hanks. "However, knowing his reasons are based on rugby and personal development, we as a club support his decision.
"Working with him for the last few weeks around this decision, we have looked at it more as a Wasp going on a sabbatical and, whilst nothing is guaranteed, Danny has expressed a desire to return to the Club later down the line."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010...lbourne-rebels