Danny Cipriani takes new outlook on life following controversial year

Former England fly-half admits he has to grow up and take responsibility

Danny Cipriani in action for Sale Sharks (GETTY IMAGES)

Sale Sharks fly-half Danny Cipriani feels he must take responsibility and grow up to fulfil his potential after he incurred a difficult year that end with him lying in hospital after being hit by a bus.

Cipriani was treated for concussion after he was hit on a night out with his team-mates in Leeds last month, and he feels that the incident was one of a number of events that have led him to see his life in a new light.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “It is frustrating that I’m not doing what I should be doing but I know on my day that is what people have said. And as much as I have wanted to blame other people, it is me, isn’t it? I’m just glad I’ve realised this now.”

Another event that Cipriani has highlighted was the death of his friend and Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard, who was killed when he was hit by a train in June last year. It’s clear that these incidents have mounted up in Cipriani’s life, and it seems to have had an effect on his outlook on life.

"It is the first time I've reflected on that,” the 25-year-old continued. “It is mixed emotions of frustration, everything. As a kid I was always selected, I was always top dog. I was the guy who had to get the runs, take the wickets, score the goals. In rugby, people look to me too. I'm just so glad that I'm 25 not 35."

The former England No. 10 also reflected on the past season, which saw Sale survive relegation having been bottom of the table at Christmas – a first for a Premiership side.

“"At the time I felt like f***, again, why? But now I look at this, it is more like waking me up the whole time. I'm not saying I'm not going to make mistakes but f***, I understand my whole life, I've been a bit f***** spoilt, it's just me.

“I'm just used to being spoilt and that being the way it is, it has always been my life and I do have to grow up and be a better person in that way."

He added: "Maybe I could have realised this a year ago but maybe I was too stubborn to actually wake up and smell the coffee. But through a course of events I have been made to do that.

"I don't want to be as dramatic as saying being hit by a bus was a life-changing scenario, because even before the bus I had been making a few changes in my life but it has given me an extra impetus and it gives you a new sense of life."