Danny Cipriani quits Gloucester with immediate effect

‘I have mixed emotions. I am sad to leave a great club, but I’m excited for the challenges I have ahead’

Danny Cipriani has left Gloucester with immediate effect (PA)

Danny Cipriani has left Gloucester with immediate effect.

The 16-cap England international posted a statement on his Twitter profile to reveal the news, having not featured for the club in recent weeks for an unspecified reason.

Uncertainty surrounding his rugby future remains as Cipriani did not say what his next move would be, but the former Wasps and Sale fly-half added that he is “excited for the challenges ahead” as he weighs up his next move.

Gloucester quickly confirmed the news, which ends his two-and-a-half year stint at Kingsholm.

He said in a statement: “After much deliberation I have decided to leave Gloucester with the love, support and blessing of my coach and friend George Skivington. Whilst I’m sad to be leaving such a great club I know the club is in safe hands for the future under George’s leadership.”

He added: “I’m excited for the challenges I have ahead. I am so proud of what we have built together, and I have enjoyed working with everyone.”

Gloucester confirmed the news soon after, with head coach Skivington, a former teammate of Cipriani’s at Wasps, giving him his best wishes to move on.

“Danny has been playing at the top of his game for over a decade now, his reputation in the game is undisputed,” Skivington said.

“It has been a pleasure to have been a part of Danny’s career at Gloucester and I wish him well for his next challenge.”

The 33-year-old scored 128 points for Gloucester in 44 appearances since arriving from Premiership rivals Wasps in 2018, having forced his way back into the international reckoning with Eddie Jones after making his first England appearance since August 2015 on the summer tour of South Africa.

However, an off-field incident that saw him arrested while on a pre-season club tour to Jersey hindered his place in Jones’s thoughts, with the fly-half failing to win selection since his two appearances against the Springboks, and he has been used sparingly since this summer due to a combination of injury and personal issues.

Gloucester confirmed the news in a brief statement. “Gloucester Rugby would like to announce that Danny Cipriani has left the Club with immediate effect.

“Gloucester Rugby would like to place on record our appreciation for Danny’s contribution during his time with us. We wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

Cirpiani is understood to have rejected at least one offer to move to Japan during this summer’s lockdown while the sport was paused, and he could now be set to explore his options abroad with the book seemingly closed on his international career.

Earlier this year, Cipriani released a video on his Twitter page to reveal he had struggled with depression since the age of 22, which followed the death of ex-girlfriend Caroline Flack at the start of 2020. Gloucester’s match against Sale in February was subsequently dedicated towards supporting mental health issues after talks between Cipriani and the club over what could be done to help those experiencing similar struggles.

With Cipriani’s imminent departure apparent for some time, the club have moved to sign former Bath fly-half Adam Hastings from Glasgow Warriors, with the Scotland international rejecting a contract extension in order to move to Kingsholm for the 2021/22 season.