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Danny Cipriani: England call-up influenced move to Gloucester

Rugby, Aviva Premiership

Danny Cipriani has confirmed his decision to turn down lucrative offers from overseas to join Gloucester was based on an England lifeline from Eddie Jones.

The fly-half, 30, who is back in the national squad after a three-year absence, will leave Wasps when his contract expires this summer and Kingsholm was confirmed as his next destination on Monday.

"I was waiting on a possible England call-up. It definitely wasn't expected and it happened and obviously made the decision for me to stay in England," Cipriani said. 

"That's not to say I was definitely going to go abroad if it didn't happen, but it was something I was looking at.

"It was a difficult position, having to keep putting clubs off, and it kept happening. So it was very timely and I'm very grateful for the call up."

Cipriani revealed Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys inspired his decision.

"I decided on Gloucester after meeting with David and Johan and hearing the vision they have for the squad and what they're building there," he said.

"It is definitely exciting and something that I feel is going to be a great challenge for next season."

Cipriani will be the first to admit he has had a career of ups and downs.

However, as his recent form suggests, he insists his best is still to come.

"There's definitely more to come from me," he said. "There's always time to keep learning, getting better and improving. I'm adamant about that and something I focus on.

"I make sure I do my self-analysis and work with the coaches to find learning points in order to keep improving - and there are definitely areas to keep improving."

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