Armitage appeal dismissed by RFU

Delon Armitage's appeal against an eight-week ban for pushing and verbally abusing an anti-doping officer was thrown out on Thursday night.

The London Irish full-back remains suspended until March 17, effectively guaranteeing he will play no part in England's RBS 6 Nations campaign.

England's final match against Ireland is on March 19 and it is highly unlikely Martin Johnson would consider him for the trip to Dublin after two months out. The 27-year-old will also miss London Irish's next four Aviva Premiership matches, against Newcastle, Gloucester, Harlequins and Leeds.

Armitage was banned for conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game following the incident immediately after the Exiles' defeat to Bath on January 1. The case was without precedent in England.

The RFU's chief disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett equated the offence to abuse of a match official and branded Armitage's behaviour as "completely unacceptable".

Armitage launched an appeal, claiming the sanction was "disproportionate". But his argument was dismissed by a three-man appeals panel, chaired by Ian Unsworth QC and including Gareth Rees QC and Dr Julian Morris.

Unsworth castigated Armitage for his actions and explained the appeals panel backed the original verdict because all players had to be aware of their obligations in the fight against doping.

"We came to the conclusion that the decision and sanction reached by the original panel was fair, reasonable and one which they were entitled to," Unsworth said.

"The Rugby Football Union attaches the highest importance to the fight against doping in sport and thus considers the work of UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) to be important to the reputation of rugby and sport as a whole.

"The work of the doping control officers is of crucial importance in this field and players should be aware of their obligations to comply with the reasonable requirements of those officers. Mr Armitage was aggressive, bullying, persistent and threatening. He subjected the doping control officer to a volley of abuse and he deserved better than that."