Although Cipriani, who spent a season playing for the Melbourne Rebels, harbours no particular desire to migrate to France, the appeal of Toulon is obvious given their success and largesse. Most of all, Cipriani is committed to improving as a player and the opportunity to work under Jonny Wilkinson, the club’s skills coach, is enticing, particularly as they share the same mentor in Steve Black. The huge advancements made by Steffon Armitage, the European Player of the Year, will not have gone unnoticed. Toulon would also provide the platform for him to advance his claims for selection to the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour.