4. Delon Armitage – 2011 Rugby World Cup
Delon Armitage is best remembered as being one of England’s most underutilised talents, as his services were let go following a high-profile move to France. Armitage walked away from English rugby in 2012, as he swapped his decade-long home of London Irish for a deal with Toulon.
However, Armitage was able to squeeze in a run at the Rugby World Cup before his highly publicised departure, as he was selected in the squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Armitage marked his debut at the competition in England’s opening match, playing the full 80 minutes on the left wing in the nail-biting 13-9 win over Argentina.
The winger followed this up with another strong showing against Georgia, which saw him score England’s third try just seven minutes into the second half. Armitage ran out for another ‘full 80’ in this game, in what was an impressive 41-10 win over the famously physical Georgian opposition. England’s campaign continued with a 67-3 landslide win over Romania, with Armitage having a brief off-the-bench appearance in what was a foregone conclusion in favour of England.
The pool stages were wrapped up with an succinct 16-12 victory over Scotland, with Armitage once again showing great endurance to run out for an hour and 20 minutes. Armitage picked up a suspension in the final pool stage match against Scotland, after he was cited for a dangerous tackle. This saw Sale Sharks stalwart Mark Cueto take his spot, with England subsequently eliminated by eventual finalists France, after a 19-12 quarter-final defeat.
Armitage would soon head to the home of ‘Les Bleus’, and along with his brother Steffon, begin the conversation for England eligibility whilst based overseas. The debate has continued even after Delon’s on-field retirement as he hung up his boots following four years with Toulon and three with Lyon. This proverbial torch has since been carried through the 2010s by the likes of Nick Abendanon and Chris Ashton, and into the 2020s by Jack Willis, Sam Simmonds and Henry Arundell.