Source: Daily_Mail
Agent says Danny Cipriani won't join Beckham in the MLS
Danny Cipriani is still officially bound for Melbourne next month and his new employers expect him to report for duty as agreed. But the round-about route he is taking to that final destination is prompting intense speculation about his plans.[LNB]The 22-year-old former Wasps fly half has become something of a sporting nomad this summer in the period between his departure from English rugby and his expected arrival at the Melbourne Rebels. [LNB]His latest port of call is Commerce City, Colorado, USA - home of the very low-profile Rapids, a Major League Soccer team. [LNB] Flirtation: Danny Cipriani has spent time training with MLS side Colorado Rapids[LNB]In recent months, Cipriani has clocked up plenty of trans-Atlanticair miles; first spending time training in Los Angeles before two-weekstints at two London football clubs, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers.[LNB]In theory, he was invited along by friends and was just using thetime to get into shape, but he took part in reserve-team games at bothclubs and drew considerable praise as a left-footed player of realpotential, perhaps even Premier League potential.[LNB]Now he is back in the USA, this time up in the Colorado mountains.The Rapids' official website trumpeted his presence in training onThursday under a provocative headline: 'Rugby to Soccer?'[LNB]Renewed gossip about Cipriani's intentions was further inflamed by aclub spokesman saying: 'He is keen to explore opportunities in soccerin general and with the Rapids in particular.'[LNB]Within rugby circles, there has been feverish talk about Cipriani'splans, with sources at Wasps and elsewhere confirming sustained rumoursof his desire to try his hand at football. [LNB] On his way: Cipriani is due to link up with Melbourne Rebels after leaving Wasps[LNB]However, the player's representatives have categorically denied thatany such career change is imminent and reaffirmed their client'scommitment to taking his place in the expanded Super 15 next year. [LNB]Cipriani's publicist, Caroline McAteer, told Sportsmail yesterday:'He's just over there doing some altitude training. Everyone is puttingtwo and two together and making 10. [LNB]'He's in regular contact with the Melbourne Rebels coaches and he'sgoing out there by early October ready for pre-season training, whichstarts in November.[LNB]'Danny wants to be super, super fit going out to Melbourne. Thepressure will be on him out there now because there has been so muchfuss made about this move. He has to arrive ready to go that is whyhe is training so hard.[LNB]Ball control: Danny Cipriani has become something of a sporting nomad this summer[LNB]'He spent two weeks with Spurs, two weeks with QPR and an Englishguy he knows who coaches the team in Colorado invited him to join themfor training, so he thought he would go. He'll be out there for a weekor so, then he's coming back here for a few weeks before going toAustralia.'[LNB]Responding to the latest speculation, seemingly fuelled by theRapids themselves, McAteer added: 'I'm not sure why they would putsomething up on their website about him moving into football. Itprobably just gets them publicity.[LNB]'Let's face it, not many in this part of the world have heard ofColorado Rapids. If he was going to sign for an MLS team, I don't thinkit would be them.[LNB]'But it is not going to happen. He would have to cancel his contractwith the Rebels and that's not even an option. He has signed thecontract, he is going to Melbourne and he is excited about the move. [LNB]'All these rumours are part of the reason why he wants to go to Australia. He wants to get away from all this.' [LNB]Rebel walks into wilderness March 3, 2008: Axed from England squad after being snapped outside a nightclub two days before his first scheduled international start.[LNB]March 15, 2008: Swore live on the BBC in a post-match interview. [LNB]October 2008: Punched by Wasps team-mate Josh Lewsey during training for missing tackles. [LNB]Autumn 2008: Dropped by England coach Martin Johnson for lacklustre performances.[LNB]February 2010: After more than a year in the international wilderness Cipriani announced that he would leave Wasps for Melbourne Rebels. [LNB]The Rebels' former Wallaby coach, Rod Macqueen, is adamant that themost eye-catching of his recruits to the new Melbourne franchise willbe joining his team-mates, no matter which club in which sport he isinvolved with between now and then. [LNB]'He's absolutely on board,' he said. 'We have seen no evidence tosay he's not coming. We are expecting him in about three weeks.'[LNB]Cipriani burst on to the international scene with a superlativeperformance against Ireland in the 2008 Six Nations. Unfortunately,that proved to be something of a false dawn as an horrific ankle injuryforced him out of the subsequent summer tour. [LNB]After returning to action earlier than expected at the end of thatyear, he played three autumn Tests at Twickenham before being replacedby Toby Flood. [LNB]Having struggled to rediscover his form of the previous season hewas overlooked by Martin Johnson during the 2009 Six Nations and hasnot played for England since. [LNB]In February, it was announced that he had agreed to join the Rebels on a two-year deal. [LNB] Is Cipriani set to make Rapid decision on his threat to quit rugby for football?Your essential club-by-club guide to the 2010-11 Aviva Premiership seasonThere's only two Ciprianis: the rugby one...and the one playing for SpursCipriani for Spurs? Danny's not the first to be a great sporting all-rounder[LNB]
