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Cipriani signs fashion deal to rival celebrity girlfriend
Sri Carmichael17.04.09
ENGLAND rugby union star Danny Cipriani has established himself as the pin-up boy of the sport after signing as the new face of a fashion label. Eden Park, which has a Richmond store part-financed by former international players Lawrence Dallaglio and Kenny Logan, is paying the London Wasps fly-half an undisclosed six-figure sum.
The 21-year-old will front a six-month advertising campaign from next week. Cipriani became an "ambassador" for adidas last October, in a contract thought to be worth at least £1million.
He has established a high public profile despite playing little rugby over the past year while recovering from a bad ankle injury. His seven-month relationship with model and TV presenter Kelly Brook, 29, has made him a regular on the celebrity gossip pages.
He is going head-to-head with her in marketing terms after she signed a deal to promote Reebok in February. Eden Park was founded by five French international rugby stars including current company president Franck Mesnel in 1987.
Cipriani said: "Maybe one day I can follow in [Mesnel's] footsteps and start a brand of my own."
rugby's poster boy cipriani signs six-figure fashion deal to rival girlfriend kelly
Reader views (5)
Didn't see Cipriani on the team of any of the winning games for the six nations. Me thinks he may need another career!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
English rugby is in danger of imploding. Very few are delivering and clubs are reliant on Kiwis and South Africans to prop them up. Cipriani is talented but not intelligent enough to control an international game at outhalf. Strange how in the amateur era there were far more rugby generals with the intellect to play the game of rugby chess than in the professional age?
- Mike, london
Is this guy going to be a big dissappointment. "
He has already disappointed wasps and England separately with his juvenile whinging and money=mad antics. Sooner he has moved to France with his mates the better
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Is this guy going to be a big dissappointment. Usually you have to win something before you can make your own pants. Unless you are Anna kournikova. Will it be a fragrance next and then a stint on Strictly while Toby Flood hangs on to the England shirt?
- Alex C, London
GOOD LAD I FOR ONE HOPE HE CAN PROVE ALL HIS DOUBTERS WRONG. EDEN PARK IS HORRIBLY OVER-PRICED THOUGH.
- Marts, LONDON
