Toulon defend Armitage after 'abnormal' drugs test result

Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage has produced an "abnormal" doping test result, but his club insist that he has not taken a banned substance.

The 26-year-old, who has played five times for England, was informed yesterday of the issue arising from a test taken after June 9's Top 14 final at the Stade de France.

But a club statement released this morning insists the result was caused by approved painkillers and anti-inflammatories prescribed for back pain and that Armitage "has absolutely not taken any illegal substance to improve his performance".