- Delon Armitage
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Delon Armitage 
Personal information Full name Delon Anthony Armitage Date of birth 15 December 1983 Place of birth San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago[1] Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Weight 93 kg (14 st 9 lb) [2] Nickname(s) Del, Chopsy, Ugly, D-LOW, Mr Angry, Mr "Awful Trim" School(s) attended Richmond College, north Westminster community school off harrow road Relatives Steffon Armitage Club information Position(s) Fullback / Wing / Outside Centre Current club London Irish Youth clubs Years Club Richmond
Racing Rugby Club de NiceSenior clubs* Years Club Apps (points) 2002 ‐ London Irish 100 (213) Representative teams**
2008 ‐France U16
England Saxons
England3
26 (44)* Professional club appearances and points
counted for domestic first grade only.
** Representative team caps and points correct
as of 25 October 2011.Delon Anthony Armitage (born 15 December 1983) is a rugby union footballer 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.[3] Armitage, was rejected by the France Under-16s claiming he was too tall and skinny.[4] On his return to London, Armitage joined Richmond before his current club, London Irish offered him a professional apprenticeship.[5] 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.[6]
Contents
England career
Armitage during 2011 RWC
On the 8th November 2008 Armitage made his full England debut against the Pacific Islanders at fullback following injuries to Mathew Tait and Nick Abendanon. He put in a man of the match winning performance setting up a try for winger Paul Sackey.[7] English Rugby legend and team manager Martin Johnson described Armitage's debut performance as outstanding.[8] 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.
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. Steffon 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.[1]
References
- ^ a b Page error
- ^ "RFU Official Site of the RFU, Governing Body of Rugby Union in England". web page. RFU. http://www.rfu.com/SquadsAndPlayers/EnglandElite/DelonArmitage.aspx. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ Delon Armitage: England star made in France - News & Comment, Rugby Union - The Independent
- ^ Brothers in Armitage | The Sun |Sport|Rugby Union
- ^ Delon and winding road: The unlikely story behind new England rugby star Armitage's success | Mail Online
- ^ Delon Armitage: 2008/2009 Biography & Statistics - London Irish
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | England 39-13 Pacific Islanders
- ^ BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Johnson praises England debutants
External links
London Irish squad Forwards Backs Coach BoothEngland squad – 2011 Rugby World Cup Forwards Backs Coach Categories:- London Irish players
- Black English sportspeople
- England international rugby union players
- English rugby union players
- Trinidad and Tobago rugby union players
- 1983 births
- Living people
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