Cipriani's future up in air after altitude training with Colorado

The Colorado Rapids have confirmed that Danny Cipriani has joined them for training, fuelling speculation over the exiled England fly-half's future.

Cipriani is due to head to Australia early next month to begin his two-year contract with the Super 15 franchise Melbourne Rebels.

The 22-year-old has already trained at Tottenham Hotspur and Queen's Park Rangers this summer and played in pre-season reserve games for both clubs, leading to suggestions that he was angling for a switch to football.

His presence at Major League Soccer club the Rapids has only heightened doubts over his commitment to rugby.

"Dan has a friendship with members of our coaching staff and is currently training with the club," the head coach, Gary Smith, told the club's website yesterday.

"He wanted to take advantage of training at altitude and to engage in competitive sessions with our club as we prepare for the last part of our season."

Cipriani explained his appearances at Tottenham and QPR as an attempt to vary his training regime during the off-season.

But reports surfaced that he was having second thoughts over his impending move to Australia and was trying to plot an escape route into football.

Cipriani explained his decision to join the Rebels as the need to make a fresh start after falling out of favour with the England coach, Martin Johnson.

Cipriani won the last of his seven caps two years ago amid concerns over his attitude at England and Wasps.