Steffon Armitage has a very basic defence against his assault charge

The former, and perhaps future, England international is accused of being involved in an incident after a game in France in December.

A few weeks back we brought you the news that Toulon's Steffon Armitage was in a spot of bother with the law as he and a team-mate were accused of assualting a man in a bar. Today the European Player of the Year appeared in court in Toulon and offered his defence of the charge. "I contest the charges against me. I do not remember anything. I was really drunk and feel that I unintentionally fell on the victim, this injuring him but without doing it intentionally. "One thing is for certain, I very much regret being drunk; I'm a professional player and as such must set an example." As they say in all the best publications, the case continues. Hat-tip Planet Rugby UPDATE: The case has been adjourned until February 24 at 8.30am