England must pick Armitage – Laporte
Steffon Armitage: Midi Olympique’s Top 14 Player of the Year
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Toulon boss Bernard Laporte believes it is only a matter of time before Steffon Armitage is recalled to England’s Test side.
Toulon face Clermont in their Top 14 semi-final on Sunday, June 3 and if they reach the final on June 9, it will be on the same day that England face the Springboks in their first Test in Durban.
That seems to be the reason for Armitage’s omission from England’s squad as the former London Irish stalwart, who has represented his country in five Tests, has been the leading openside flanker in the Top 14 this season.
His impressive form has seen him named as influential sports newspaper Midi Olympique’s Top 14 Player of the Year and Laporte is confident that he will represent England again next season.
“In terms of playing for England, the tour of South Africa was not the be-all and end-all,” Laporte told the Rugby Paper.
“If he continues to produce performances like he has been recently there is no way he will be ignored.
“His future belongs to him, but if he carries on the way he’s going at the moment I’m sure he will be playing for England come the Six Nations.
“I hadn’t realised that he had been voted player of the season, but frankly it makes perfect sense.
“With regards to the consistency of performance he is one of those who is rarely poor and doesn’t have off games.
“In fact I’d go as far as to say that he is one of those who is always very good,” added the former France coach.
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