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Gagged: England and London Irish
full-back Delon Armitage
Photo: Eoin Mundow/Cleva Media |
Delon Anthony Armitage
was born in Trinidad, partly raised in France and now plies
his trade with London Irish in the Aviva Premiership.
The rangy full-back burst
on to the international stage in 2008 but has subsequently
fallen down England's pecking order and is currently banned
for "pushing and verbally abusing" a doping officer.
His eight-week stint on
the sidelines has ruled him out for the entire RBS Six
Nations, despite the player himself apologizing for his
actions - which occurred in the post-match heat of the
London Irish changing room - and explaining they stemmed
from the frustration of a last-minute defeat.
In an exclusive interview
with the superb SEEN magazine, Armitage talked
openly and frankly about the incident, as well as giving his
opinion on the current French side and the possibility of
joining the international exodus to Top 14.
The 27-year-old is
certainly well-placed to make the switch across 'Le Channel'
having spent six years living in Roquefort-les-Pins on
the French Riviera, where he learned his rugby playing for
Rugby Nice Cote d'Azur Université-Racing.
(Photos and
interview extracts provided courtesy of SEEN. Click
here for full
interview, or to sign-up to the free on-line magazine)
SEEN: You spent your formative years in France with Nice, is
a return to France something you would consider in the near
future? And would you enjoy playing against these guys week
in week out?
Definitely, I’ve always
said I would like to return back to France one day and to
get the chance to play with or against these guys would be
great. I think they are great players and the French
philosophy of how they try to play rugby that hasn’t changed
since I was growing up there and I like to think it’s the
same.
They like throwing the
ball around at the back and I think that is suited to the
way I like to play rugby. You know if I one day get the
opportunity to go back to France and play I would definitely
not turn that down.
Seen: Do you think the Top 14 is the best league in Europe?
From watching a few games
on the television this season I haven’t been that inspired.
At the minute I think the toughest league is the
Premiership, but I think the French league with all the
world-class players coming and slotting into different
teams, I think it’s getting a lot better.
Obviously when all the
French players left before it wasn’t the best, I was
watching games that were low scoring, there was a lot of
kicking, but I think they have reversed that and there is a
lot more attacking in the game. It’s a bit more attractive
now.
Top 14 League Table 2010/11
SEEN: France are obviously a very talented team, are there
any players that really stand out for you?
I think [Thierry]
Dusautoir is playing really well, he is coming on and
getting stronger and stronger. He has always been a good
player. Obviously Maxime Médard, and I thought [Clément]
Poitrenaud had a brilliant year last year and I think he is
getting back to that form again, slowly. I think they have
a good mix, they are bringing in a player like [François]
Trinh-Duc who has grown into that number 10 shirt, he is
getting stronger especially with his defence, his attacking
game is getting a lot stronger.
The way that they can just
bring in guys here and there and obviously their front row
with that experienced head in Servat.
(Photos and
interview extracts provided courtesy of Seen. Click
here for full
interview, or to sign-up to the free on-line magazine)
