Toulon players to be investigated for foul-mouthed rants

Toulon have apologised to Leicester following the incidents involving Martin Castrogiovanni and Delon Armitage at Welford Road on Sunday, adding the pair are to be investigated by the French club.

Castrogiovanni is being investigated after he made expletive comments towards Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill after Toulon's 25-21 Champions Cup defeat, while Armitage is believed to have directed offensive language towards spectators.

The two clubs are due to face each other again this weekend in the Champions Cup, and Toulon stated they will examine the evidence and punish their own players if necessary.

The statement read: "Toulon has decided to carry out its own inquiry and could sanction the players if it deems it necessary. The Red and Black club has taken the opportunity to apologise to Leicester Tigers for the discomfort caused by these events."

It added: "Toulon have taken note of the decision of EPCR to open an inquiry after Leicester decided to report the behaviour of Martin Castrogiovanni and Delon Armitage during and after the Leicester/Toulon match on Sunday.

"Leicester Tigers have reported to EPCR two incidents which the EPCR disciplinary officer is currently looking into in order to determine, among other things, if it is appropriate to take action for misconduct.

"The first incident concerns the allegations that Delon Armitage made insults towards or in the proximity of spectators during the match.

"The second incident concerns the allegations that Martin Castrogiovanni criticised the Leicester Tigers sporting director, Richard Cockerill, by using offensive language, when addressing representatives of the media after the match."

Castrogiovanni sought out journalists after the match and unleashed a foul-mouthed assault rant regarding Cockerill, who had claimed the former Italy prop swapped the Tigers for Toulon in 2013 for financial reasons.

''I thought f****** Leicester were f****** amateur. I never want to speak with Cockers any more. I just don't like ****s,'' said Castrogiovanni, who spent seven years at Welford Road.

Armitage, who has a chequered disciplinary history, is alleged to have verbally abused spectators as he departed the pitch for half-time.