Armitage lauds Laporte’s impact

ENGLAND international Steffon Armitage has hailed the influence of former France coach Bernard Laporte on Amlin Challenge Cup finalists Toulon. Armitage, Jonny Wilkinson and company will aim to end Toulon’s 20-year wait for a major trophy when they tackle Biarritz at the Twickenham Stoop tonight.

“Bernard has brought his own distinctive game plan with him,” former London Irish flanker Armitage said. “He has given players the opportunity to come out of their shells and play their own kind of rugby, while also keeping to his game plan which works pretty well for everyone.

“We are not scared of anyone. On our day we have the players to win games, so the only important thing to Toulon was that we were there for the final and not who we are playing.”