Danny Cipriani will return to England 'a better player and person'

Danny Cipriani is to return to England (GETTY IMAGES)

Danny Cipriani believes he will return to England "a better player and a better person" following his 18-month stint with Melbourne Rebels.

The England international fly-half will be released early from his Rebels contract and link up with his new club Sale Sharks when pre-season training starts on June 6.

Cipriani's time in Australia was occasionally overshadowed by off-field incidents, while he has dropped out of England contention behind players like Owen Farrell, Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood.

But he insists that a move back to the Aviva Premiership is exactly what he needs at this stage of his career.

"I just want to make the news for what I do on the rugby field," Cipriani told the Manchester Evening News.

"I guess, when it comes down to it, I've got quite a lot to prove to myself as I know where I can be and what I can do, and I want to achieve that with Sale.

"I think I will be coming back as a better player and a better person for the experience of playing with Melbourne.

"I've done a lot of different things in the 18 months I've been out in Australia, and it has all been part of growing up, I guess."

Cipriani, 24, will be back in England later this month ready to launch his Sale career after signing a three-year contract in March.

"As for aims and ambitions, all I really care about is winning and trying to win as many Premierships and Heineken Cups as I can. That is the main thing for me," he added.

"I was very fortunate to win a few trophies when I was younger at Wasps, and having got used to winning ways at such an early age, it's all I really want and what I strive for as a player."

Cipriani won the last of his seven England caps four years ago, and he has underlined a desire to play Test rugby again.

"Playing for England again is a huge goal of mine. but my performance and focus has to start at my club and right now all my energies are on pre-season with Sale," he said.

"Hopefully, if I can help Sale get off to a good start next season, other things will take care of themselves. But for me, I've got to simply focus on doing the best I can for Sale.

"I want to do the best I can for Sale and to help them achieve some great things, and I firmly believe that the best is yet to come."

PA