The best jams are made in old jars. And also, obviously, that we revive old controversies. Since their strong rivalry in the middle of the 2010s, Toulonnais and Clermontois have never appreciated each other, it is common knowledge in rugby, and the former rear of the RCT Delon Armitage has just put a coin in the nourrain.
On the sidelines of the celebrations in Toulon for the creation of the club’s Hall of Fame, which brings together many old glories of the RCT (including Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Van Niekerk, Bakkies Botha or Carl Hayman), Armitage declared Tuesday, under the laughter of the crowd: “I really want to thank you, you supporters of Toulon. Even when I was whistled for four years by those bastards from Clermont, I’m glad you were behind us, thank you very much! »
Delon Armitage had been taken aback by the Auvergne supporters after the final of the 2013 European Cup, won by the RCT at the expense of Clermont, after having chambered the ASM opener Brock James by sticking his tongue out at him. score the winning try (16-15). His last outing caused the Auvergne club to react on Wednesday in a press release entitled “Hate has no place in our sport” and illustrated by a photo of Armitage powerfully rebuked by former Fijian winger from Clermont Napolioni Nalaga.
“Better known for his outbursts than his framing, the former full-back of the RCT Delon Armitage took the liberty of insulting our supporters by publicly calling them “bastards” during the RCT Hall of Fame ceremony, deplores the ASM Clermont-Auvergne. A poor way to celebrate his reunion with the Toulon public who, like ours and all of those who fill the stands of our sport, master the nuance between “chambering” and “insults”. We will never let anyone vent their hatred and insult our supporters who have always been the pride of ASM. Our sport and our club deserve much more than that. »
Armitage’s response was quick. He posted a photo of himself, with the message “good day” and a “kiss” smiley, in front of the RCT trophy shelf filled with three European Cups (2013, 2014, 2015) and a shield of Brennus (2014). In 2013 and 2015, Toulon beat Clermont in the European final.
