Danny Cipriani to re-join Premiership side Wasps

Wasps have confirmed Danny Cipriani is to re-join the club next season after opting to leave Premiership rivals Sale Sharks.

Cipriani started his career at Wasps when the club were based in London, making 95 appearances and helping them to Heineken Cup glory in 2007.

The flamboyant fly-half subsequently earned international recognition with England, but he left under something of a cloud for Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2011-12 season following a series of off-field misdemeanours.

Cipriani returned to England in 2012, though, and his impressive performances for Sale earned an international recall.

However, the 28-year-old was overlooked by Stuart Lancaster for England's 2015 Rugby World Cup squad and by new head coach Eddie Jones for the ongoing Six Nations.

That led to rumours of a big-money move to France with Toulon, who he turned down to sign a new deal with Sale last season.

Cipriani will return to Wasps - who now play in Coventry - though, and he spoke of his excitement at helping develop an ambitious side.

"I'm excited about returning to Wasps next season. For me, it really does feel like coming home," he told the club's official website.

"I feel much more equipped to handle and deal with the expectation that comes when you put on the black and gold jersey.  'Once a Wasp, always a Wasp' is more than just a saying when you've been part of the club.

"I'm really looking forward to playing alongside guys I started my career with, like James Haskell, Joe Simpson, Christian Wade and Elliot Daly, in a squad that loves to play attacking, expansive rugby."

Cipriani, who has made 14 England appearances, subsequently said his goodbyes to Sale on Twitter, adding: "This is the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I'll be giving everything I have for the rest of the season."