ENGLAND UTILITY back Delon Armitage will miss the quarter-final against France after he was given a one-week ban for a dangerous high tackle during last weekend’s match against Scotland.

Armitage faced a hearing in Auckland yesterday after being cited for the tackle on Scotland fullback Chris Paterson during Saturday’s victory which secured England’s passage to the last eight.

Independent judicial officer Bruce Squire of New Zealand said it was a low-end offence which would normally carry a two-week ban but that was reduced after Armitage acknowledged he had been guilty of foul play.

Armitage has 48 hours to appeal, but it is expected Mark Cueto will return to the team to face the French.

Cueto was axed for England’s decisive pool victory over Scotland despite scoring a hat-trick against Romania, with the England management opting for Armitage on the left wing.

England’s only other wing option is Matt Banahan but Johnson may well need him to cover the centres as Mike Tindall struggles with a dead leg.

France will also be depleted as centre Fabrice Estebanez looks set to miss the rest of the World Cup after being hit with a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle against Tonga on Saturday.

He received a yellow card for the tip tackle on Tonga substitute Joseph Tuineau in the second half of Les Bleus’ 19-14 Pool A defeat in Wellington, Marc Lievremont’s side going on to clinch the losing bonus point needed to secure their quarter-final berth.

The 29-year-old has 48 hours to appeal, but as things stand he will miss Saturday’s last-eight clash with England in Auckland.

Estebanez was cited yesterday by independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds of New Zealand, and the case was heard in Auckland yesterday by the independent judicial officer Christopher Quinlan QC of England.