Danny Cipriani announces he has left Gloucester with immediate effect

Danny Cipriani has revealed he has left Gloucester with immediate effect.

The 33-year-old English fly-half joined the Cherry & Whites two-and-a-half years ago, having left Wasps, as he wanted to push for an England spot.

But in recent weeks Cipriani has become a peripheral figure at Kingsholm, only playing once so far this season against Leicester.

Danny Cipriani has announced he has left Gloucester after becoming a peripheral figure

And on Tuesday the No 10 tweeted that his time at Gloucester is over.

‘After much deliberation I have decided to leave Gloucester,’ he wrote on social media.

‘I have mixed emotions about it. I am sad to leave a great club, but 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 every one.’

Gloucester boss George Skivington – who was seemingly recruited on the recommendation of his former Wasps team-mate Cipriani when predecessor Johan Ackermann left during lockdown – said: ‘Danny has been playing at the top of his game for over a decade now, his reputation in the game is undisputed.

Gloucester boss George Skivington said Cipriani’s reputation in rugby remains undisputed

‘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.’

On Skivington, Cipriani added: ‘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.’

In their statement Gloucester said: ‘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.’

Cipriani scored 128 points in 44 appearances for Gloucester since 2018.

He turned down moves abroad to try and convince Eddie Jones he was worthy of an England place, having started his first Test since 2008 on that June’s tour to South Africa and starred in the third Test win in Cape Town.

Cipriani’s arrival at the club was clouded by an arrest after an incident at a nightclub in 2018

A special season with Gloucester in 2018-19 saw him named as the league’s player of the year 

However his Gloucester arrival was clouded by an arrest on a pre-season tour to Jersey after an incident at a nightclub. Cipriani was charged with assault and fined £2,000 by the court and his club.

But after that he performed so well for Gloucester, propelling them to the 2018-19 playoffs, that he won the league’s player of the year award.

It remains to be seen what his next move will be, but a move to America might be a lucrative option in the twilight of his career.

To fill the considerable gap left by Cipriani Gloucester have signed Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings for next season – the 24-year-old son of Lions and Scottish legend Gavin who moved to Glasgow after leaving Bath in 2017. 

Skivington was delighted to confirm the signature of a player of Hastings’ stature.

Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings has come in as a replacement for Cipriani at Gloucester

‘We are really pleased to welcome Adam to Gloucester for next season. He’s matured as a player impeccably over the last couple of years and developed into a top international fly-half. The most exciting part for us is that he’s still got plenty of room for development as well.

‘He’s now built up a considerable amount of domestic and international experience which will prove invaluable to the squad.

‘With Adam, Lloyd Evans, and George Barton coming through as well, it’s an area in our squad that we believe has a huge amount of promise in the immediate, but also long-term future.’

Hastings himself added: ‘I’m really looking forward to linking up with Gloucester next season. The vision that George & Alex [Brown] presented to me was an opportunity too good to turn down, and I’m eager to play my part in a bright future for the Club.

‘There’s still plenty more rugby ahead of me this season, but when the time comes, I look forward to pulling on the Cherry & White.’