Former Rosslyn Park colt Danny Cipriani has thrown his international future into doubt by agreeing to join Super 15 expansion club Melbourne Rebels from London Wasps at the end of the Guinness Premiership season.

The 22-year-old has won seven full caps but has been overlooked by England team boss Martin Johnson, instead having to be content to play with the second-string Saxons side.

Cipriani, who resisted offers of big money to move to France a year ago, has been rumoured to have been considering a switch to the southern hemisphere for several weeks.

But, after confirming his decision to leave Wasps, he hinted at a possible return to the Guinness Premiership - and Wasps - later in his career.

He said: "I have been given no indication that I am pushing for a place with England at the moment, so it is up to me to ensure I am in contention in the future by challenging myself in new realms. "Leaving Wasps is very hard – this is my home, I have played here since I was 15," he said.

"I see this move as the next step in my career and would never rule out coming back to play in England.

"If I did, the first place I would look at is Wasps and we have already talked about that as a possibility for the future."