Man-of-the-match Cipriani leads Wasps into semi-finals
WASPS (42) vs GLOUCESTER (26)
WASPS fly-half Danny Cipriani hinted he could renege on his decision to move to Australia after his star turn guided them into the last four of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
The No10 kicked 17 points and played a part in four of the hosts’ five tries, three of which were scored by Tom Varndell, as Wasps booked a semi-final against Cardiff Blues.
Cipriani has agreed to join the expanded Super 15’s new franchise, Melbourne Rebels, at the end of the season but suggested he could be tempted to stay put.
“After days like that you do receive some taps on the shoulder to stay. If we win a few trophies you never know,” he said. “I am very happy with the decision I’ve made and I’m going to go and play some rugby and learn as much as I can and hopefully return the best player I can.”
Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards insists Cipriani has vowed to return to Adams Park after his two-year stint Down Under. “I said to Danny at the end of the match: ‘That was a fantastic way to say thank you to the Wasps fans’, and his words were: ‘I am only going for two years and I will be back’.”
Wasps boss Tony Hanks added: “In my opinion it is a Wasp going down to play in Super 15 and we would love to see Danny back.”
Full-back Ben Jacobs and flanker Serge Betsen both touched down as Wasps opened up a 17-6 lead, but Adam Eustace evaded Cipriani to go over for Gloucester. But Varndell scored his first before half-time and two more after the break, rendering Charlie Sharples’ reply irrelevant.