Delon Armitage
Encyclopedia
Delon Anthony Armitage is a rugby union football
er who plays at wing or fullback for London Irish
and England
. He also occasionally plays centre and often does place kicking, mainly from a distance or if the regular kicker is unable to take it.
From 1996 to 2002, Armitage lived in Roquefort-les-Pins on the French Riviera and from the age of 12 Armitage began playing for Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
. Armitage, was rejected by the France Under-16s claiming he was too tall and skinny. On his return to London, Armitage joined Richmond before his current club, London Irish offered him a professional apprenticeship. Armitage joined the Academy in 2002, where he played for the England U19's and was involved in the team that won the U19's National Cup (02-03). From there he progressed to the U21 squad. His talent was recognised and Armitage played for England in the IRB World Sevens tournament 2005. In August 2009 he took part in the Middlesex Sevens tournament in Twickenham where he helped London Irish to victory over Samerai International to take the championship.
and Nick Abendanon
. He put in a man of the match winning performance setting up a try for winger Paul Sackey
. English Rugby legend and team manager Martin Johnson described Armitage's debut performance as outstanding. Armitage was one of the few England players to warrant any praise during the 2008 Autumn Internationals in which England lost three out of their four matches. Armitage scored his first international points with a 45 meter drop goal against Australia.
On the 3rd February 2009, Armitage and his brother, Steffon Armitage
, were both named in England's starting XV to take on Italy
in the opening game of the 2009 Six Nations
. The ninth pair and the first time since Rory Underwood
and Tony Underwood
stepped onto the field together in 1995 that two brothers have played in the same England team.
In the next match, in the 2009 Six Nations Championship
he scored his first try against Wales at the Millennium Stadium. He also scored a penalty and a try in England's 14–13 loss against Ireland at Croke Park. Armitage scored his third England try in as many games when he touched down against France at Twickenham, in a match England went on to win 34–10. He celebrated his try by kissing the England badge on his shirt, quite possibly to highlight his snub by the France Under-16s.
He played in England's two test matches against Argentina, scoring two tries in the first test.
and Guy both play at Irish
. Steffon
is also a member of the Saxons
squad. Bevon left RFU Championship
club Doncaster Knights in 2010 for his brothers' youth club Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
.
Armitage is the first native West Indian to play rugby union for England.
He has two children with his current girlfriend, a son Cameron (born 2007) and a daughter Chloe (born May 2009). He is a Queens Park Rangers fan.
Away from Rugby, Armitage enjoys Cricket and Tennis. His hero is former All Blacks
blindside flanker Jerry Collins
.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
er who plays at wing or fullback for London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
. He also occasionally plays centre and often does place kicking, mainly from a distance or if the regular kicker is unable to take it.
From 1996 to 2002, Armitage lived in Roquefort-les-Pins on the French Riviera and from the age of 12 Armitage began playing for Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing is a French rugby union club, currently playing in the third highest division of the French league system, in Fédérale 1. Nice was founded in 1912, as Racing Rugby Club de Nice. Nice has in the past been in the top division of French rugby, and was runner-up...
. Armitage, was rejected by the France Under-16s claiming he was too tall and skinny. On his return to London, Armitage joined Richmond before his current club, London Irish offered him a professional apprenticeship. Armitage joined the Academy in 2002, where he played for the England U19's and was involved in the team that won the U19's National Cup (02-03). From there he progressed to the U21 squad. His talent was recognised and Armitage played for England in the IRB World Sevens tournament 2005. In August 2009 he took part in the Middlesex Sevens tournament in Twickenham where he helped London Irish to victory over Samerai International to take the championship.
England career
On the 8th November 2008 Armitage made his full England debut against the Pacific Islanders at fullback following injuries to Mathew TaitMathew Tait
Mathew Tait is an English rugby union footballer. He is an outside centre, a fullback or wing...
and Nick Abendanon
Nick Abendanon
Nick Abendanon is an English rugby union player, currently playing for Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership. Full-back Abendanon burst onto the scene during the 2006–07 season, scoring 10 tries in 24 first-team appearances for Bath.His form that season earned him a first England cap in South...
. He put in a man of the match winning performance setting up a try for winger Paul Sackey
Paul Sackey
Paul Henry Sackey is an English rugby union footballer who currently plays at wing for Stade Français in the Top 14.As of 28 February 2009 he has 22 full England caps...
. English Rugby legend and team manager Martin Johnson described Armitage's debut performance as outstanding. Armitage was one of the few England players to warrant any praise during the 2008 Autumn Internationals in which England lost three out of their four matches. Armitage scored his first international points with a 45 meter drop goal against Australia.
On the 3rd February 2009, Armitage and his brother, Steffon Armitage
Steffon Armitage
Steffon Armitage is a rugby union player for RC Toulon in the Top 14.- Career :Armitage plays as a flanker. He is of heavy build but of comparatively slight stature for a modern day flanker. A comparison with Neil Back has been made and like Back he is quick and particularly effective in ruck...
, were both named in England's starting XV to take on Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in the opening game of the 2009 Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
. The ninth pair and the first time since Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood
Rory Underwood MBE is a former English rugby union footballer who played wing for, most notably, Leicester Tigers and Bedford. He represented England and the British Lions and is a former Royal Air Force pilot....
and Tony Underwood
Tony Underwood
Tony Underwood is a former English rugby union footballer who played as a wing three-quarter back. He is of Chinese-English parentage....
stepped onto the field together in 1995 that two brothers have played in the same England team.
In the next match, in the 2009 Six Nations Championship
2009 Six Nations Championship
The 2009 Six Nations Championship, known as the 2009 RBS 6 Nations because of the tournament's sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was the tenth Six Nations Championship, an annual rugby union competition contested by the six major Northern Hemisphere rugby union national teams...
he scored his first try against Wales at the Millennium Stadium. He also scored a penalty and a try in England's 14–13 loss against Ireland at Croke Park. Armitage scored his third England try in as many games when he touched down against France at Twickenham, in a match England went on to win 34–10. He celebrated his try by kissing the England badge on his shirt, quite possibly to highlight his snub by the France Under-16s.
He played in England's two test matches against Argentina, scoring two tries in the first test.
Personal life
Armitage's stepfather John played for Hatfield and encouraged his sons to such an extent that four of them are now professional players. SteffonSteffon Armitage
Steffon Armitage is a rugby union player for RC Toulon in the Top 14.- Career :Armitage plays as a flanker. He is of heavy build but of comparatively slight stature for a modern day flanker. A comparison with Neil Back has been made and like Back he is quick and particularly effective in ruck...
and Guy both play at Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
. Steffon
Steffon Armitage
Steffon Armitage is a rugby union player for RC Toulon in the Top 14.- Career :Armitage plays as a flanker. He is of heavy build but of comparatively slight stature for a modern day flanker. A comparison with Neil Back has been made and like Back he is quick and particularly effective in ruck...
is also a member of the Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
squad. Bevon left RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
club Doncaster Knights in 2010 for his brothers' youth club Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing
Rugby Nice Côte d'Azur Université-Racing is a French rugby union club, currently playing in the third highest division of the French league system, in Fédérale 1. Nice was founded in 1912, as Racing Rugby Club de Nice. Nice has in the past been in the top division of French rugby, and was runner-up...
.
Armitage is the first native West Indian to play rugby union for England.
He has two children with his current girlfriend, a son Cameron (born 2007) and a daughter Chloe (born May 2009). He is a Queens Park Rangers fan.
Away from Rugby, Armitage enjoys Cricket and Tennis. His hero is former All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
blindside flanker Jerry Collins
Jerry Collins
Jerry Collins is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who formerly played for the national team, the All Blacks in which he was capped 48 times. He now plays for Yamaha Jubilo, in Japanese Top league rugby.-Early career:...
.