Danny Cipriani set to join Sale Sharks next season

By MM Sports Staff

Former England fly-half Danny Cipriani is believed to be on the verge of signing a contract to join Sale Sharks next season.

The controversial Melbourne Rebels star is thought to have had a conversation with England’s interim head coach Stuart Lancaster before making the move to Edgeley Park.

Steve Diamond, Sale's executive director of sport, kept his cards close to his chest in an interview with Granada TV yesterday but did praise the forgotten man of English rugby.

Diamond said: "Danny Cipriani is a world class player. He is unconventional but he has gold dust and does things other players can't do.

"We have a huge pack of forwards getting together and this side will be improving over the summer and we need someone who can set our back line alight."

He added that Sale are always interested in increasing the quality of their squad but he fell short of confirming the growing speculation of Cipriani's arrival to the north west.

Cipriani, 24, has had his fair share of on and off the field trouble since his last England start in November 2008 but is keen to return to the Aviva Premiership to reignite his stuttering international career.

The Sharks are looking to make some high profile signings for next season to offset the loss of Andrew Sheridan to Toulon.

Already they have signed Scotland’s potential Lions lock Richie Gray from Glasgow Warriors for next term.

Cipriani’s deal is believed to be three years and it is thought it will be completed by the end of the week.