Dallaglio urges Cipriani to stay with Wasps

Published on Thursday 4 December 2008 09:06

LAWRENCE Dallaglio last night urged Danny Cipriani to put medals before money as he considers whether to sign a new deal with Wasps.

Cipriani, 21, and England colleague James Haskell are among a number of players whose contracts expire at the end of the current season.

Both are marquee names who could attract lucrative offers from Wasps' big-spending rivals in the Guinness Premiership and in France, where the Top 14 clubs are not subjected to a salary cap.

Dallaglio's new role on the Wasps board includes player recruitment and the retention of the club's leading talent.

Wasps may not be able to match the biggest salaries on offer around Europe but Dallaglio is a firm believer the club he has served for 20 years gives players the best chance of fulfilling their potential, playing for England and winning trophies.

"You make decisions in rugby on what you feel your priorities are," said Dallaglio. "If players are purely driven by money, there are other places who will offer more. A player in the modern age has to think about more than money.

"They have to think about where they get their best rugby education and where they have the best chance of winning trophies. Despite our league position, this is still one of the very best places to win trophies."