ENGLAND’S RUGBY TEAM have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons again after the RFU announced today that Delon Armitage has been suspended from the squad after being arrested on suspicion of assault.
With their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield just days away, the London Irish full-back was released from the England Saxons camp and detained by police in Torquay over an incident in a nightclub.
The 28-year-old, who played in the 23-17 win over the Irish Wolfhounds on Saturday, was released on bail after questioning but, if he is found guilty of any wrongdoing, this latest controversy could spell the end of his international career.
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,” England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said on the RFU website.
“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 added in a statement: “London Irish is extremely disappointed to hear about the incident involving Delon whilst on England Saxons release period and take these matters extremely seriously.”
England’s World Cup squad were widely criticised over their behaviour in New Zealand last September while scrum-half Danny Care was charged with drink-driving earlier this month.
