News

Armitage given fresh England hope by Lancaster

stuartlancaster14800SBR
Flanker Steffon Armitage has revealed how he is not completely out of England head coach Stuart Lancaster’s plans despite plying his trade in France.

Flanker Steffon Armitage has revealed how he is not completely out of England head coach Stuart Lancaster’s plans despite plying his trade in France.

Armitage won his last England cap during the 2010 RBS 6 Nations but has not featured since, owing to his move to Top 14 outfit Toulon in 2011.

However Armitage, who signed a three-year with Toulon in November, admits he has been given hope for the future after meeting with Lancaster.

“Stuart said that the RFU rules are probably not going to change but that the door is not wholly closed,” Armitage told the Telegraph.

“England want to put the best team out for the Rugby World Cup and they are just looking into the situation as to what any availability might be for camps and stuff.

“None of that is up to me. All I can do, and want to do, is keep my head down and play as well as I can.

“Of course I’d love to play for England again. I have never given up on that. I knew what the consequences were when I extended my contract but I knew that I wanted to be the best player I could possibly be and that means staying here.

“At least I know now that I am not completely out of people’s minds.”

Visit our official RBS 6 Nations Instagram page to follow all the best images from the Championship