Armitage to make Barbarians bow
STEFFON ARMITAGE is poised to make an international comeback at Twickenham at the end of this month, but against England rather than for them — as a debutant with the Barbarians. The 31-year-old Pau flanker has agreed to play for the invitational side in the traditional end-of-season fixture. For years, following his move to Toulon, Armitage was acclaimed as the specialist openside that England were sorely missing as he stockpiled awards in French rugby, but there was no Test comeback because of the RFU’s policy against picking players based abroad. As recently as last year, there was speculation Eddie Jones had urged Armitage to return home to challenge for selection, while Wasps admitted to being interested in signing him. Instead, he opted to move to Pau which was regarded as final confirmation that he had no future with England. Instead, he will now oppose them, with the possibility of a head-tohead against Sam Underhill, the Bath-bound Ospreys flanker who Jones regards as his leading long-term prospect at No 7. There was mixed news for Warren Gatland yesterday as the Lions head coach continues to monitor injury bulletins ahead of the New Zealand tour. Conor Murray is set for a comeback with Munster today after a persistent shoulder injury, but Alun Wyn Jones is not ready to return for the Ospreys. Worryingly, England centre Jonathan Joseph is again absent from the Bath line-up, as is national team-mate Anthony Watson. Ticket sales for the Champions Cup final in Edinburgh next Saturday have passed 52,000, but Saracens are likely to be surrounded by neutrals in the crowd. The reigning champions have sold 2,500 tickets since winning their semi-final, while Clermont Auvergne have sold 1,900.