"I'll do it" - Danny Cipriani set to resume playing career after year away from the game

Sunday, 10 September 2023 at 09:53

byRugby Rucker

Danny Cipriani, the enigmatic rugby figure, remains primed for a potential return to the pitch, unfazed by his 10-month hiatus from playing.

In his freshly released and somewhat contentious autobiography, "Who am I," which hit the shelves this week, Cipriani openly divulges that tempting offers from Japanese rugby outfits came his way.

While he initially rebuffed these offers, the door to his comeback is far from shut.

"I've had offers to play in Japan, money, and I like the idea of living a and they're very tempting. It's decent beautiful life somewhere exotic," he said.

"I haven't hung my boots up, but when I dig into the details, none of the offers feel right. It's me just scratching an itch, thinking I've still got stuff to prove.

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It is a great shame that Danny Cipriani never got a chance to shine on the big stage... He played in an era of safety-first, white collar coaches who didn't want to leave their fate in his hands ✍️ @Nik_Simon88 trib.al/eWMWkFC

7:00 AM · Sep 10, 2023

5 former England rugby players you didn’t know were still playing

We take a look at five former top-flight rugby players who are somehow still lacing up their boots most weekend's.

#1. Tom Varndell (Oxford Quins)

Oxford Harlequins welcomed the former premiership record try scorer who will take on a dual role combining his rugby management career with his exceptional rugby talent.

Varndell has agreed to assume the position of Head of Rugby at Oxford Brookes University, which has close links to Oxford Harlequins.

In addition to his management role, he will also become the Head of Community at the club, while still playing for the team.

Marcus Boswell, the student sport manager at Oxford Brookes had the following to say about their star capture;

“To secure someone of Tom’s calibre, as a coach and a mentor, is of great excitement for both our current and prospective students who are looking to play rugby union,

“It goes without saying that the relationship between Oxford Brookes and Oxford Quins continues to go from strength to strength, and this announcement is another indication of that.

“We will continue to work hard in all areas of our sporting delivery and wider area of activity together, and reap the successes both on and off the pitch for our student athletes.”

#2. Joe Simpson - Old Priorians

Simpson joined seventh tier side Our Priorians in February, and made his debut for the Saints the following weekend against London Sussex.

The scrum-half - who made 230 appearances for Wasps in the Premiership (along with spells for Gloucester, Bath and Sale) and played for England at the 2011 World Cup - retired from the professional game in December 2022 and follows his brother Michael in pulling on the OPs shirt.

#3. Andy Goode

In 2019, Andy Goode came out of retirement for one night and one night only! He played in a charity match to raise funds for Tom Day, a police officer who died and he didn't disappoint.

#4. Jason Leonard (Anywhere, anyplace)

The legendary England prop still loves to scrum down whenever he gets the chance.

#5. Mike Tindall (Minchinhampton)

England legend and World Cup winner Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home.

The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup.