Booth backs Armitage

Wednesday 28 December 2011

London Irish director of rugby Toby Booth stood by Delon Armitage after an incident during Tuesday's Aviva Premiership victory over Exeter.

The full-back was superb for the Exiles as they won 29-22 to move third in the standings until a second-half challenge left Ignacio Mieres floored.

But Booth felt the tackle was not malicious from Armitage, who is just back from five-week ban.

"He went in for a tackle from behind and, as the player has bent down, he has gone up over the top of him. It is a penalty at most in my opinion," he told Press Association Sport.

"But, as always, because of what has gone before, people will have a closer look."

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: "It certainly dazed him. There is definitely an arm over the top. That is not alleged, you can see that pretty clearly.

"The touch judge was in a pretty good position and he gave his worth on what he thought it was. I'm not too concerned about that, you just have to get on with it and play."