Armitage out for twelve weeks

Delon Armitage is set to miss England’s autumn Test series after being told he requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder.

The London Irish full-back will go under the knife on Monday and is expected to be out of action for 12 weeks.

That would rule Armitage out of England’s three November Tests – against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand – and potentially London Irish’s first four Heineken Cup fixtures.

Armitage saw a specialist today after suffering the injury in the Exiles’ 40-10 Guinness Premiership victory over Gloucester on Sunday.

England manager Martin Johnson will delay naming any replacement for Armitage until the squad next convene on October 25.