In a candid revelation, England rugby star Danny Cipriani recently discussed his ongoing battles with mental health in his new book. Cipriani, who has also played for Gloucester, spoke about his experiences at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in a conversation with BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
The renowned rugby player’s life has been marked by personal challenges, including his past relationship with TV presenter Caroline Flack, who tragically took her own life. Cipriani revealed that he had missed a call from Flack just one day before her passing, an experience that has deeply impacted him.
He shared, “That doesn’t ever leave you; it was the biggest catalyst for me to get things off my chest. In doing so, we create a more conscious nation, and we all need to be more open and free.”
Cipriani’s turmoil eventually led to a breakdown during a team meeting in front of fellow players. He confessed, “I opened up in front of the boys. I was crying my eyes out, telling them all the things that I’d held in my chest, that I regretted, that I was shameful of the way I behaved. That was it for me. It was breaking point. I couldn’t carry that anymore because of the way I felt. I felt compelled to do it.”
Reflecting on his time with Gloucester, Cipriani expressed gratitude for the experiences and learning moments he encountered during his tenure with the franchise. He characterized Gloucester as a unique team in the Premiership.
Cipriani made his England debut at the age of 20 and earned 16 caps for the national team. Between 2018 and 2020, he played for the Gloucester Rugby Club. Recalling the period when he was hopeful of an England selection in 2018, Cipriani shared that his failure to secure a spot prompted him to take a 60% pay cut to join Gloucester.
He said, “When I didn’t get selected for England, so many things came out because I’d been getting all my validation, and it was my joy, it was my life, and it was everything I had put into. It just sent me on a full journey to be where I am now. I am very grateful for all of the experiences, all the tough times because it is what makes you.” Danny Cipriani’s openness about his mental health journey underscores the importance of addressing mental health challenges, even in the world of professional sports.
