Cipriani is due to meet up with the Rebels next month © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Danny Cipriani

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Danny Cipriani has sparked fresh speculation about his commitment to rugby union by training with the Colorado Rapids football team during a stint in the United States.

The 22-year-old signed a two-year deal with Super 15 expansion side the Melbourne Rebels earlier this year and is due in Australia next month to begin pre-season training. But the former London Wasps star, who played junior football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered youth terms by Reading, has since flirted with a switch in football codes by training with QPR, Tottenham and now the Denver-based Major League Soccer side.

"Dan has a friendship with members of our coaching staff and is currently training with the club," said Rapids head coach Gary Smith. "He wanted to take advantage of training at altitude and to engage in competitive sessions with our club as we prepare for the last part of our season."

Cipriani has previously played down his dalliance with football insisting he is just varying his fitness regime ahead of his Super Rugby bow and has assured new coach Rod Macqueen that he has no intention of turning his back on a reported £175,000 (A$300,000) a season contract. But the Rapids' communication manager Jason Gilham told The Times that he believed Cipriani was interested in a permanent switch.

"He is keen to explore opportunities in soccer in general and with the Rapids in particular," said Gilham.

"I think he is looking at that possibility," Gilham added when asked if Cipriani was looking to secure a contract with the franchise. "It is something that is being looked at from both sides."

Following his spell with Tottenham earlier this summer, the club's technical director praised Cipriani's ability. "I don't know how long he is giving to the game, but if Danny has any interest in being a professional footballer, he would have a chance."

Cipriani won the last of his seven England cap back in 2008 and has since fallen out of favour with England manager Martin Johnson who has said he would not select Cipriani if he was unavailable to play in next year's Six Nations.

The Rebels will begin their quest for Super Rugby glory in a new-look competition that kicks off in February next year. Cipriani is one of a number of high-profile signings made by the team including Wallabies international Stirling Mortlock, former All Blacks prop Greg Somerville and England international Michael Lipman.