The Rugby Football Union have charged England international Delon Armitage after he allegedly pushed a doping control officer during a routine test.
The charges also state that the London Irish full-back is also alleged to have used threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards the officer from UK Anti-Doping.
Charges stem from a routine test taken immediately after London Irish’s Aviva Premiership game against Bath on New Year’s Day.
Armitage returned a negative test, but he is still in trouble with the RFU and will face a disciplinary hearing in London on Thursday.
The 27-year-old has been charged with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and/or the game, contrary to rule 5.12 of the rules of the Rugby Football Union.”
Armitage has won 19 England caps and is a member of Martin Johnson’s elite player squad.
He made his Test debut in 2008, and featured three times off the replacements’ bench during England”s autumn Test series this season.
Armitage will face a disciplinary panel comprising RFU disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett, Peter Budge and Robert Horner.
If the charge is proved against Armitage, he could face a range of sanctions, including a fine or period of suspension.
