England and London Irish full-back Delon Armitage has been dropped from the England Saxons squad after being arrested for assault.
In hot water: Armitage has had a chequered disciplinary history
Armitage, 28, was detained in Devon in the early hours of Sunday morning, following the Saxons' 23-17 win over the Irish Wolfhounds in Exeter on Saturday.
He was arrested in Torquay after an altercation in a nightclub and released on bail while inquiries continue.
'We take issues surrounding the behaviour of England players very seriously and as such have decided to suspend Delon from the Saxons EPS [Elite Player Squad] pending the result of the police inquiry', said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
'High standards of behaviour are required from England players on and off the field, and they also need to understand that they should not put themselves in a potentially vulnerable position or environment.'
His club side London Irish issued a statement saying they were 'extremely disappointed' and took the matter 'extremely seriously.'
'We fully understand the RFU stance on this matter and will convene our own internal investigation to procure a full understanding of the matter in question, the outcome of which will determine any further action,' the statement continued.
'Player conduct is a direct representation of the club and, therefore, inappropriate conduct will be strongly acted upon.'
Armitage was banned four times last year, including a one-match suspension at the World Cup for a high tackle in the win over Scotland, which saw him ruled out of England's World Cup exit at the hands of France.
He was arrested in Torquay after an altercation in a nightclub and released on bail while inquiries continue.
'We take issues surrounding the behaviour of England players very seriously and as such have decided to suspend Delon from the Saxons EPS [Elite Player Squad] pending the result of the police inquiry', said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
'High standards of behaviour are required from England players on and off the field, and they also need to understand that they should not put themselves in a potentially vulnerable position or environment.'
His club side London Irish issued a statement saying they were 'extremely disappointed' and took the matter 'extremely seriously.'
'We fully understand the RFU stance on this matter and will convene our own internal investigation to procure a full understanding of the matter in question, the outcome of which will determine any further action,' the statement continued.
'Player conduct is a direct representation of the club and, therefore, inappropriate conduct will be strongly acted upon.'
Armitage was banned four times last year, including a one-match suspension at the World Cup for a high tackle in the win over Scotland, which saw him ruled out of England's World Cup exit at the hands of France.
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