England's Steffon Armitage arrested over alcohol-fuelled attack

French radio station France Bleu Toulon reported that Armitage, who was voted European Rugby Player of the Year last season after a devastating campaign with Toulon, was arrested on Wednesday night after presenting himself to French police with team-mate Xavier Chiocci.

The club later confirmed the news in a statement.

"RC Toulon yesterday learned that two of their players, Xavier Chiocci and Steffon Armitage, were in custody," the Top 14 club said in a statement.

"Xavier Chiocci's custody ended on Wednesday night and no charges were brought against him. Steffon Armitage's custody lasted through the night and a decision is to be made on Thursday.

"RC Toulon are awaiting the results of the investigation and, if need be, will impose the necessary sanctions to preserve their core values."

The players were reportedly questioned over "an alleged attack on a 30-year-old man in December that left him with a severe eye injury." The alleged incident is said to have taken place during an alcohol-fuelled party at a beach bar in Mourillon followed Toulon's win over Leicester in the Champions Cup on December 13.

The Sun reports that "Both players are understood to have told investigators they have no memory of what happened."

The 29-year-old has not played for England for two years, due to the RFU's controversial ban on selecting players for England who ply their trade overseas.

Given his outstanding form for European champions Toulon, however, England coach Stuart Lancaster is thought to want him in the World Cup squad. There is an "exceptional circumstances" clause that could allow the rule to be bent, but Lancaster's insistence on high standards of behaviour off the field mean that the alleged incident could hurt Armitage's chances.

Steffon has five England caps in his career, while his brother Delon has 26.