Steffon Armitage released without charge

The former England flanker Steffon Armitage was freed from custody on Thursday after being questioned over an alleged attack and will appear in court on February 10th over charges related to aggravated violence.

France Bleu radio reported that Armitage and his Toulon team-mate Xavier Chiocci were arrested on Wednesday over an incident last month involving a 30-year-old man after the club defeated Leicester in the European Champions Cup.

A police source said that Armitage had been released after spending the night in custody.

A judicial source also said he would be go to court for aggravated violence although he had not been formally charged.

Earlier, Toulon said they would sanction Armitage should he be found guilty. “RC Toulon yesterday learned that two of their players, Xavier Chiocci and Steffon Armitage, were in custody,” the Top 14 club announced in a statement.

‘No charges’

“Xavier Chiocci’s custody ended on Wednesday night and no charges were brought against him. Steffon Armitage’s custody lasted through the night.

“RC Toulon . . . if need be will impose the necessary sanctions to preserve their core values.”

Armitage, one of the key men in the club’s rise to the top of the French and European game, has been frozen out of the England squad because the Rugby Football Union do not select overseas-based players. He has won five international caps.