Danny Cipriani hoping to help bring glory days back to Wasps

30 August 2016 09:23

Danny Cipriani returns to Wasps intent on helping restore the club's glory days after falling back in love with rugby at Sale.

Cipriani launched his career with European and Aviva Premiership titles when Wasps were the dominant force home and abroad, but then found success far more elusive during spells at Melbourne Rebels and the Sharks.

By his own admission winning silverware came easily when surrounded by players of the calibre of Lawrence Dallaglio and Josh Lewsey and his affection for the sport later waned amid the challenges of spending time in the media spotlight.

Now back at the club where his career began in 2006 - albeit in the unfamiliar surroundings of Coventry's Ricoh Arena - the 28-year-old Cipriani believes he returns as a more complete and happier player.

"Everything is different at Wasps now, whether it's the training ground or the stadium, but it's still exciting to put the Wasps shirt on again and play for the club where I started and that I supported as a kid," Cipriani said.

"There's been a big turn-around, but the brand of Wasps, what it stands for and the culture haven't changed.

"That was a big pull for me and I've been fortunate enough to come back here and represent the club again.

'I'd definitely like to help win titles here. I'd like to be part of that and that's one of the main reasons why I came back to Wasps.

"I felt very fortunate to start my career here and, off the back of that, win a couple of trophies straight away. I felt like it was always going to be like that, but it didn't pan out that way.

"At Sale I've been in a team that helped me learn a lot about the game itself and fall back in love with the game again.

"I will put forward as much of my experience as I can and hopefully as a squad we can build towards that legend of the Wasps of the past."

Source: PA