English Rugby
Armitage kicked out of Saxons squad
ESPNscrum Staff
January 30, 2012
England's Delon Armitage exploits some space, England v Scotland, Rugby World Cup, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, October 1, 2011
Delon Armitage has been kicked out of the Saxons squad © Getty Images
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England fullback Delon Armitage has been kicked out of the Saxons squad after being arrested on suspicion of assault.

London Irish back Armitage was detained by Devon and Cornwall Police following an incident in a nightclub early on January 29, according to an RFU statement. He was later released on bail. Armitage, who has won 26 caps, started at fullback when England Saxons beat the Irish Wolfhounds 23-17 in Exeter on Saturday.

In a statement, the RFU said Armitage had been detained by Devon and Cornwall Police. The RFU said: "The London Irish full-back was released from the England Saxons camp following the international match against the 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."

A statement from Devon and Cornwall police read: "In the early hours of Sunday the 29th January 2012 a 28-year-old man from the Middlesex area was arrested in Torquay on suspicion of assault following an altercation in a local nightclub.

"The man was taken to Torquay police station and interviewed regarding the incident. He was later released on police bail until 21 March 2012 while investigations continue. A local man received a split lip during the incident but did not require medical treatment."

And in response to the incident, England's interim 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."

Armitage's club London Irish also released a statement following their player's arrest. "London Irish is extremely disappointed to hear about the incident involving Delon while on an England Saxons release period, and takes these matters extremely seriously," the statement read. "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."

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