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.
“And I wouldn’t be helping anyone by heading off to Japan.
“If I play rugby, again, great. I haven’t retired from rugby-even the word ‘retired’ makes me wince. If the right team wants me to play for them, and it sounds exciting. I’ll do it,”
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.”