Armitage appeals 12-week ban

Paris - Toulon's Delon Armitage on Wednesday appealed a 12-week ban for abusive language after a European Rugby Champions Cup defeat in December.

European Professional Cup Rugby confirmed the appeal will be heard before an independent appeals committee in London on Thursday, January 8.

The 31-year-old former England international was found guilty of misconduct following the stormy 25-21 defeat by Leicester Tigers on December 7.

Armitage - whose Italian team-mate Martin Castrogiovanni received a suspended four match ban and a fine for a post match rant - was found to have used offensive language towards spectators at Leicester's Welford Road ground.

Armitage, who has been pivotal to two-time defending European champions Toulon's success over the past couple of years, received an extra four weeks on the eight week ban because it was his second post-match misconduct case in four years.

The ban which runs until March 8 will see him miss the final two rounds of the European Champions Cup pool games and seven Top 14 matches.