Danny Cipriani makes long-awaited rugby return this weekend against Northampton
Rugby NewsWednesday, 23 November 2022 at 11:34
Danny Cipriani has been named in the Barbarians squad to face Northampton Saints at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens later this weekend.
he clash, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 26 November, sees the most famous invitational rugby side in the world head to Northampton for an unmissable exhibition match – the very first time the Barbarians have locked horns with Northampton Saints.
The historic fixture will see former Saints Luther Burrell and Tom Wood take to the hallowed Gardens turf alongside a host of Gallagher Premiership and international stars – including Danny Cipriani, Dan Robson, Owen Williams and Francois Hougaard – with the BaaBaas coached by Geordan Murphy and John Mulvihill.
Barbarian F.C. President, John Spencer, said: “This will be our first visit to Franklin’s Gardens since 2007, but the first time we have ever faced Saints on the pitch, which is incredibly exciting for everyone at the Barbarians. It is indeed a privilege to be invited to face the men in Black, Green and Gold.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring the popular Saints faces of Luther and Tom back to Northampton, as well as a squad with a large Wasps and Worcester Warriors contingent, and a sprinkling of seasoned internationals too.
“We’re confident that this is a group that can dazzle a Northampton crowd with our world-famous BaaBaas skill, flair and passion come November 26.”
The fixture replaces Saints’ previously scheduled Gallagher Premiership match against Worcester Warriors, with all Season Tickets and seasonal hospitality valid for the game. Match tickets are
available to purchase HERE* and start from just £18 for adults, while all under-18s tickets are capped at £5.Cipriani has been preparing for a return to rugby in 2023 by training with renowned coach Margot Wells.
She is a performance fitness coach who specialises in speed and power and an expert in body functionality which prevents injuries and aids performance.
Cipriani is set to move overseas to continue his rugby career in 2023 with offers on the table from sides in both Japan and the USA.
The fly-half could swap nations for a one-off game in what would be the surprise story of 2022 so far.
Reports overseas suggest Trinidad and Tobago want the playmaker to don their red jersey during the Rugby Americas North Championship.
It’s suggested that the switch could be funded by World Rugby, who are looking to encourage former elite rugby players to represent third tier nations to help raise the sports profile in that country.
The 34-year-old’s father is Afro-Trinidadian with some Italian heritage while his mother is English. They’re currently ranked 53rd in the world.
Barbarian F.C. squad to face Northampton Saints
COACHES
Geordan Murphy
John Mulvihill
Geordan Murphy
John Mulvihill
FORWARDS
Will Boyde
Tim Cardall
Tom Cruse
Hika Elliot
Ben Harris
Brok Harris
Graham Kitchener
Murray McCallum
Ben Morris
Olly Robinson
John Ryan
Elliott Stooke
Tom Wood
Will Boyde
Tim Cardall
Tom Cruse
Hika Elliot
Ben Harris
Brok Harris
Graham Kitchener
Murray McCallum
Ben Morris
Olly Robinson
John Ryan
Elliott Stooke
Tom Wood
BACKS
Luther Burrell
Danny Cipriani
Will Haydon-Wood
Jonah Holmes
Francois Hougaard
Perry Humphreys
Gareth Simpson
Owen Williams
Marland Yarde
Luther Burrell
Danny Cipriani
Will Haydon-Wood
Jonah Holmes
Francois Hougaard
Perry Humphreys
Gareth Simpson
Owen Williams
Marland Yarde
Danny Cipriani facts:
- Since starting in the Wasps academy in 2003, Cipriani has been capped for England 16 times
- A keen all-round sportsman, Cipriani played junior football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered youth terms by Reading
- He also played schoolboy cricket for Berkshire and Oxfordshire. He was invited to join Surrey County Cricket Club as a batsman
- n 2014, Cipriani posed shirtless for a PETA "Ink Not Mink" advert, showing off his tattoos on behalf of the anti-fur campaign
- In February 2020, Cipriani stated that he has suffered from depression since the age of 22
Rugby players who have dated celebrities, including Joe Marchant
Rugby players dating famous celebrities is far from unusual.
It almost comes with the territory doesn't it? Become a celebrity, date a celebrity.
We all know about Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips, as well as James Haskell's marriage to the daughter of Richard and Judy, but plenty of other top rugby stars are currently sharing their lives with famous folk.
With that being said, here are five top footballers who have dated famous people.
#5. Ben Cohen - Kristina Rihanoff
One of the best known cases of the Strictly Curse involved Cohen, who left his wife, the mother of his twin daughters, in 2014 after appearing in the 2013 series.
He later announced that he was in a relationship with Rihanoff and the couple are still together now, having welcomed a daughter in 2016.
Cohen's ex-wife Abby Blayney unsurprisingly had something to say about her former husband's time on the show, but has since apologised for insulting Rihanoff.
#4. Gavin Henson - Charlotte Church
His relationship with the singer has been well covered by the media in the United Kingdom. On 20 September 2007, Church gave birth to a daughter.
On 11 January 2009, Church gave birth to the couple's second child, a son. On 31 May 2010, Henson and Church announced that their relationship was over, only two months after they had announced their engagement
#3. Danny Cipriani - Kirsty Gallagher, Katie Price, Caroline Flack and more...
The England fly-half has previously dated high-profile models Kelly Brook and Katie Price. His love life has been a bit more low key since his most recent high-profile girlfriend TV sports presenter Kirsty Gallagher. The relationship fizzled out after six months in 2016. Other famous romances include Lindsay Lohan, one of the Cheeky Girls and briefly the late Love Island host Caroline Flack.
Basically the more you google, the more girls names come up, ha-ha.
Price wrote: "In my experience he was a bit – erm – lean in the most obvious departments.
"That’s why I nicknamed him Danny Chipolata. He can no longer hit the right spots on the rugby field and he certainly can’t find them on a woman."
Cipriani and Lindsay Lohan
Cipriani and Kirsty Gallagher
#2. Joe Marchant - Hollie Shearer
She is one of Alan’s three children with wife Lainya, who he met early on in his illustrious career, while playing for Southampton.
The 25-year old singer has shared numerous shots with the popular speedster, who has represented his country four times.
Photos shared across social media suggest Hollie’s relationship with the 26-year-old is still in its early stages.
#1. Will Carling - Princess Diana
The most famous of all the rugby/celebrity relationships.
They became close after meeting at an early morning fitness class. Worried ex-footballer Gary Lineker warned his married pal: “This woman is trouble”, but Will did not listen.
Carling, now 51, has always denied an affair, insisting recently: “I was a good friend to her for a period of time, and that was it.”
Okay Will, we believe you. Mate dates they were.
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