Delon Armitage will miss England's World Cup quarter-final against France after being given a one-match ban.
England wing to miss quarter-final with France after high tackle
Delon Armitage will miss England's World Cup quarter-final against France after being given a one-match ban for a "dangerous high tackle".
The wing was handed the suspension at a disciplinary hearing in Auckland after pleading guilty to the offence, which was committed on Scotland's Chris Paterson.
Armitage's ban was halved after the independent judicial officer, Bruce Squire QC, took into account a number of mitigating factors.
The 27-year-old will be available to play in the semi-finals should England manage to progress to that stage when they face France in Auckland next Saturday.
Mark Cueto is set to regain his place in the side after he missed out on the clash against Scotland despite scoring a hat-trick against Romania the last time he played.
The Sale wing admitted that he "spat the dummy" after England manager Martin Johnson opted to go with Armitage on the left wing against Scotland.
"To play the way I did and score the hat-trick, it was disappointing to find out I wasn't playing last week," Cueto said.
Fitness
"I was 100 per cent fit. The coaches weren't convinced I was 100 per cent. They know me pretty well and they thought I was just lacking a little edge in that game.
"They thought I needed another week's training, get that under my belt and be OK. You try and convince them to change their minds and whatever else but the decision was made.
"It was something I had to deal with. I spat my dummy out on the day I was told but it is a squad effort.
"There are disappointments for everyone along the way and you can't let that get in the way of what the team is trying to do."
But Johnson has confirmed that Matt Banahan is also an option to replace to Armitage, although the versatile back may be needed to cover the centres if Mike Tindall fails to recover from a dead leg.
"It's a shame to lose Delon as he has played well but these things happen and we have some quality wings in Mark Cueto and Matt Banahan to chose from," Johnson said.
"Both (Tindall and Jonny Wilkinson) are responding to treatment so we will just have to see where they are up to when we get back into weights and light training tomorrow (Tuesday)."
