Delon Armitage suspended by England Saxons

Delon Armitage has been suspended from the England Saxons elite player squad after being arrested for alleged assault, the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) have said.

The London Irish back was detained by Devon and Cornwall Police following an incident in a nightclub early on Sunday, according to an RFU statement.

He was later released on bail.

Armitage had been released from the England Saxons camp following the international match against the Ireland Wolfhounds on January 28.

It comes in the same month that Danny Care, the Harlequins scrum-half, was told he would not be considered for England Six Nations selection following his arrest for drink-driving.

Care subsequently appeared before Southampton magistrates, where he admitted a drink-driving charge. He was fined £3,000 (Dh 17,273) and banned from driving for 16 months.

Armitage had started at full-back when the England Saxons beat the Irish Wolfhounds 23-17 in Exeter on Saturday.

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."

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 [elite player squad] pending the result of the police inquiry. We will then consider if further action is appropriate under the EPS code of conduct."

He added: "High standards of behaviour are required and players need to understand that they should not put themselves in a potentially vulnerable position."

* Press Association