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England need Steffon Armitage to win the World Cup, says Toulon owner

Outspoken Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal hailed Steffon Armitage as one of the best players in the world and said that Saturday’s Champions Cup final against Clermont is Armitage’s “first game of his World Cup".

England have so far clung steadfastly to overlooking foreign-based stars, ignoring their "exceptional circumstances" clause to shun the likes of Toulon back-rower Armitage.

Toulon meet Clermont at Twickenham on Saturday bidding to claim an unprecedented third straight European crown – and Boudjellal believes Armitage deserves the chance to be back in west London with England at this autumn's World Cup.

"I think Steffon Armitage is one of the best players in the world, and if England want to win the World Cup to have Steffon Armitage in the team is a good idea," said Boudjellal.

"Steffon Armitage is English and even when you live outside, you're still English.

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President of Toulon Rugby Club Mourad Boudjellal talks trophies and 10's in the South of France

"In the team of England, you have an English passport and Steffon has an English passport.

"You don't change your nationality when you change your country.

"He's an Englishman - not in New York, but in Toulon. This is a great chance for him to prove he should be playing for England, and (Clermont full-back) Nick Abendanon too.

"I think Steffon knows that when he plays it's the first game of the World Cup. Perhaps there is just one game in Steffon's World Cup.

"But I hope it's the first game of the World Cup for Steffon this weekend."

Boudjellal confirmed he discussed allowing Armitage to swap the Stade Mayol club for Bath in October, but was ultimately relieved the 29-year-old opted to stay put.

"We spoke with Bath," said Boudjellal.

"I have one philosophy: there's no contract. When a player wants to leave he can, because I don't want players to play for Toulon because they are contracted. I want players to play for Toulon because they want to.

"I said if Steffon wants to go to England, that's not a problem for me: then if he stays in Toulon, I know it's not because he has a contract, it's because he wants to play for Toulon.

"So I think he wanted to stay."

Watch Clermont Auvergne v Toulon live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday from 4pm

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