Cipriani puts Gloucester speculation to bed by agreeing bumper contract

After months of speculation that he could leave Gloucester despite having a contract only due to fully expire in summer 2020, Danny Cipriani has agreed a top-up deal that ensures he will definitely be playing for David Humphreys’ side next season. 

It had been speculated that Bath and Bristol were both hot on the trail of the out-of-favour England out-half. However, the matter has at last finally been settled, Gloucester tweeting on Tuesday evening that their star playmaker has agreed to stay loyal and will continue togging out for the Premiership play-off chasing Cherry & Whites until at least 2022 following a three-year top-up.

The club had denied last month that Cipriani had a break clause in his current contract that would allow him to leave this summer. However, despite that denial, they have gone and splashed out to ensure he remains their player. 

RugbyPass reported last week that Cipriani's current contract is worth in the region of £190,000 to £200,000, a relatively modest wage for an out-half of his calibre and experience. His new contract at Gloucester will potentially double that amount.

Cipriani signed a two-year deal in 2018 to join Gloucester, but the speculation that he could leave a year early forced head coach Johan Ackermann to confront these rumours a fortnight ago at his weekly media conference. 

“I'm not aware of any release clauses so, according to me, Danny is here with us for the 2019/20 season. Post that I’m not quite sure, that’s an ongoing process with the club and with Danny,” said the South African. 

“When it comes to contracting, if the club feels they need to incorporate me and bring me in then I’ll get involved. But when it’s a financial decision it’s not me that must make the budget work. It’s up to the club to make that and that’s where the process is at the moment. It’s between Danny and the club for beyond next season.”

Cipriani is expected to explain his contract top-up in an in-house interview to be released by the club on Wednesday.