Toulon back Armitage over failed drugs test

Steffon Armitage and Toulon are confident the flanker will clear his name after a doping test returned an “abnormal” result.

The 26-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance morphine after the Top 14 final defeat by Toulouse on June 9, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) confirmed in a letter to the club.

He is scheduled to appear before the FFR anti-doping commission on August 21 and has been provisionally suspended pending the hearing.