Melbourne Rebels have yet to hold formal talks with the Wasps and England outside-half Danny Cipriani about a move to the new Super 15 franchise. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Australia but has yet to decide on his future.

Cipriani will meet Wasps officials today. His contract with the Adams Park club ends in May and he has attracted the interest of French clubs, including Stade Français and Biarritz, as well as the Rebels.

"I spoke to Danny's manager when I was in Britain sounding out players last month," said John Connolly, the former Bath director of rugby who is helping the Rebels with their recruitment before they join the Super 15 next year. "Danny has since had a chat with Rod Macqueen [the Rebels head coach] but it has not gone any further than that.

"There has been no offer of a contract and it will be at least another month before the Rebels start recruiting in earnest because there are financial issues with the Australian Rugby Union that need to be sorted out. We are allowed to sign 10 foreign players and I guess the bulk of them will be guys whose international days are behind them."

Connolly refused to comment on reports in Australia that Cipriani, who has been frustrated this season at his failure to get back into England's senior squad, had approached the Rebels rather than been sounded out and that the outside-half would not break the wage structure of the side who are looking to pay top recruits between £150,000 and £160,000 a year.

"Things will play out in the next month," said Connolly. "From what I understand, money is not behind Danny Cipriani having a good look at his options before making up his mind where he will be playing next season. If that were the case, he would already have signed for a French club. It will be a rugby decision for a very talented player who has come under a bit of pressure."

One England international who is set to join the Rebels is Michael Lipman, the former Bath captain, who is serving a nine-month suspension for refusing to take a drug test when requested to do so by the club last May. He is in Australia and played for Bath when Connolly was in charge of the club.

The Rebels have abandoned hope of signing the England and Wasps prop Phil Vickery. The 33-year-old, who is recovering from neck surgery, wants to play for England in next year's World Cup having appeared in the last three and the Melbourne side would not be able to match his wages.