Chris Cusiter can’t wait to team up with Cipriani

Chris Cusiter: Exciting times. Picture: David Rogers

The experienced number nine left Glasgow Warriors to join the Greater Manchester club at the end of the season. Cipriani has been a sometimes controversial figure in the  English game but Cusiter has no qualms about linking up with the stand-off.

“It will be great to play alongside him,” Cusiter said. “Any combination takes a while to build up a relationship and get used to each other, but he’s definitely a talent. He’s been good in training, he speaks a lot and he’s really passionate about his rugby.”

The former Scotland captain added: “It’s always good to be joining a team that are going well. They definitely were going well last year. Their form on the road was really good and that’s the sign of a good team.

“They weren’t a million miles off making the top four last year so there’s a great base to build on. I’m excited to be part of it and I’m enjoying it so far.”

Cipriani, meanwhile, says he is prepared to commit his long-term future to Sale, as long as the club can match his own lofty ambitions.

The 26-year-old former Wasps fly-half, who forced his way back into the England squad this summer after re-igniting his career with the Manchester club, is about to start the last season of his three-year contract and admits he is tempted to extend his stay in the north of England.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time up here,” Cipriani said at Sale’s pre-season media day at the AJ Bell Stadium.

“If we keep striving and keep being ambitious, then it’s a club that I am going to want to stay at.

“I’ve made a lot of friends here and the staff and the players are excellent.

“If the ambition is to add to our squad in a powerful way, it’s somewhere that I’d want to be.”