Delon Armitage suspended from England Saxons Elite Player Squad

Posted in Sports Views 20th February 2012

FROM RFU PRESS RELEASE

DELON ARMITAGE has been suspended from the England Saxons Elite Player Squad following his detention by Devon & Cornwall Police early on January 29.

The London Irish full back was released from the England Saxons camp following the international match against the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds on January 28.

He was later arrested in Torquay on suspicion of assault following an altercation in a nightclub, interviewed and then released on police bail while inquiries continue.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We take issues surrounding the behaviour of England players very seriously and as such have decided to suspend Delon from the Saxons EPS pending the result of the police inquiry. We will then consider if further action is appropriate under the EPS Code of Conduct.

“High standards of behaviour are required from England players on and off the field, and they also need to understand that they should not put themselves in a potentially vulnerable position or environment.”

London Irish said in a statement: “London Irish is extremely disappointed to hear about the incident involving Delon whilst on an England Saxons release period and takes these matters extremely seriously. We fully understand the RFU stance on this matter and will convene our own internal investigation to procure a full understanding of the matter in question, the outcome of which will determine any further action. Player conduct is a direct representation of the club and, therefore, inappropriate conduct will be strongly acted upon.”

The suspension of Armitage comes in the same month Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care was thrown out of the England Elite Player Squad squad for the Six Nations after being arrested for drink-driving in the early hours of New Years Day.

It is also not 28 year-old Armitage's first run-in with authority. He has been cited for high tackles on frequent occasions for club and country, most recently at the World Cup in New Zealand when he missed the semi-final against France as a consequence, and last season he missed the Six Nations after he was banned for eight weeks for verbally abusing a drugs tester following a London Irish match.