Danny Cipriani seals Gloucester move as Johan Ackermann admits it was 'too good an opportunity to turn down'

Cipriani will leave Wasps at the end of the season but will remain in the Premiership to keep alive his hopes of making the England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Danny Cipriani will join Gloucester next season when he leaves Wasps (Getty)

Gloucester have announced that England fly-half Danny Cipriani will join the club next season, ending months of speculation over his future and keeping his international career alive following last week’s call-up by Eddie Jones.

The 30-year-old fly-half will leave Wasps when his contract expires at the end of the season, though not before he flies out to South Africa with the rest of the England squad for the three Tests against the Springboks three years after his last appearance.

Having weighed up his options – including offers from France and Japan – Cipriani has elected to remain in the Premiership and keep his England career alive given that the Rugby Football Union prevents any players based abroad from being selected.

A number of Premiership clubs were interested in his services next season, most notably Bath and former club Sale Sharks, but Cipriani revealed that the vision of Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys helped to persuade him to Kingsholm.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing at Kingsholm and am excited at the prospect of spending the next few years in Cherry and White and playing in front of the Shed,” Cipriani said. “Having spoken in depth with David Humphreys and Johan Ackermann, the future they have planned for the club is enticing and one that I very much want to be part of. It’s the most exciting move of my career to date.

Ackermann, who guided Gloucester to Friday’s European Challenge Cup final only to suffer a narrow 31-30 defeat by Cardiff Blues, admitted that the chance to sign Cipriani was “too good an opportunity to turn down” and believes that his big-game experience will be a key addition to his squad.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Danny has signed for Gloucester Rugby,” Ackermann said. “He’s probably in the best form of his career, reflected in his selection in the England squad to tour South Africa, and his signing is a significant one for the club.

“Danny is very excited by the challenge of joining Gloucester and his arrival will strengthen our current options at No 10 and will complement the rest of the squad that we are still assembling for next season.

“At 30 years old, he brings a wealth of Premiership and Champions Cup experience to Gloucester and his signing is a real statement of intent by the Club to compete at the highest level in both competitions next season.”

Cipriani will add valuable experience to Gloucester's young squad (Getty)

But before making the move to the west country, Cipriani will hope to sign off his second spell with Wasps in style. The Coventry-based side take on Saracens this weekend in the Premiership play-offs, having reached last year’s final only to suffer defeat by the Exeter Chiefs. Having initially left Wasps in 2010 for the Melbourne Rebels in Australia, he returned to England in 2012 with Sale before re-joining Wasps two years ago, and the 14-cap England fly-half – who can also play at full-back – will hope to finish his time with Wasps with a flourish.

“I’ve still some important rugby to play for Wasps in the meantime and, when the time comes, it’s probably going to be an emotional farewell,” he added.

“But that’s the modern game, we’ll part on good terms and wish each other well for the future. The next chapter of my career will be as a Gloucester Rugby player and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Charlie Matthews will leave Harlequins to join Wasps (Getty)

Wasps announced two signings on Monday, with the acquisition of second-row Charlie Matthews quickly followed by the addition of New Zealand Maori and Sevens back Ambrose Curtis, who is able to play both wing and full-back and has represented both Wellington and Manawatu in the Mitre 10 Cup.