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Cipriani's Wasps exit confirmed

Danny Cipriani is heading for a new challenge in Australia © Getty Images

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Wasps have confirmed Danny Cipriani will leave the club at the end of the season to join Melbourne Rebels.

"Obviously we are disappointed that Danny is leaving, especially as he has worked hard on a return to form on the back of a couple of nasty injuries," Wasps' director of rugby Tony Hanks said. "However, knowing his reasons are based on rugby and personal development, we as a club support his decision."

The 22-year-old's contract with Wasps expires at the end of the season and it emerged earlier in the month that he had become a target for the Australian side. He has now agreed terms and will head to the Southern Hemisphere at the end of the current campaign.

The fly-half has seven England caps to his name and it has been claimed that the move will harm his chances of making the breakthrough at international level, but Cipriani feels the switch will make him a better player.

"Moving to Australia will be a new challenge. I have always admired the Super 14 as a tournament and the first team I ever followed was Wellington," Cipriani told Wasps' official website. "I think the opportunity of playing in a completely different tournament against different players at this time in my career will help me develop on and off the field."

Cipriani would appear to be well down England coach Martin Johnson's pecking order so does not feel the move will harm his international chances.

He added: "I have been given no indication that I am pushing for a place with England at the moment so it is up to me to ensure I am in contention in the future by challenging myself in new realms. I have some of the best coaches and players in the game around me at Wasps, which is why it has been so hard to make my decision, but I am still young enough to go away and experience something completely different.

"I want to be the best player I can be and this is a huge challenge and opportunity to test myself, on and off the pitch, because it will be changing everything I know."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.