Delon Armitage has questioned the stance of England head coach Stuart Lancaster on not selecting overseas player’s for national duty.
The 30-year-old has been exiled from the international squad since joining French side Toulon, along with team-mate and brother Steffon, despite the pair both being in impressive form.
Lancaster’s stance on foreign players is well known, with the national set-up citing the duo’s inability to secure release dates, and the fitness concerns created by the unforgiving Top 14 league as the reason to why they won’t select overseas players.
Armitage has dismissed these claims though, branding them as excuses, with the former London Irish full-back admitting he was provided with full assurances from Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal that he would meet the required demands for England.
The tough stance of Lancaster has come in for some scrutiny from the Toulon ace, with the former England star becoming frustrated at the situation.
“I’ll never say no to England and I think I’m playing the best rugby of my career over here, but it’s disappointing how England look at it,” he said.
“Fair play if England want to have their guys in the country, but if you’ve got guys playing alongside world-class players in France, like Steffon and I do, why wouldn’t you want to pick them? I certainly haven’t gone backwards. From a development point of view, playing alongside guys week-in, week-out like Ali Williams, Bakkies Botha, Bryan Habana and Jonny Wilkinson – guys who know how to win World Cups – has been hugely beneficial,” Armitage added.
“My brother’s one of the best No.7′s in Europe and has still got a lot to offer England. If he had the chance, I’m sure Mourad would release him. Last year we heard how Toulon players were unfit, how we weren’t having enough game time or how the league in France wasn’t as good as the Premiership, but then you look at the Heineken Cup final and there were two French teams in it.”
Article source: http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_report/0,,11069_57961_1,00.html
England stance frustrates Delon
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