England
'England considering World Cup call-up for Armitage'
ESPN Staff
January 5, 2015
Steffon Armitage would add significant power to England's back-row stocks © ERC
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England may be about to relax its eligibility laws, allowing Toulon back-rower Steffon Armitage to play at Rugby World Cup 2015.

According to a report in The Times on Monday, the Rugby Football Union believes a home World Cup is a justifiable reason for activating the "exceptional circumstances" clause that exists within the eligibility guidelines.

The newspaper claims that Armitage will not be picked for the Six Nations but could be included in a large training squad, which is due to be announced in May, to enable head coach Stuart Lancaster to assess his fitness and attitude.

Armitage has been one of the standout performers in the Top 14 and Heineken Cup over the last few seasons and was last year named the European Player of the Year as Toulon won the domestic and European double. The 29-year-old forward played five Tests for England before joining Toulon in 2011.

The former London Irish forward could have switched allegiances to France through a World Rugby loophole last year but decided against it, declaring: "my heart was always in England."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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