Delon is ready for Test bow, says Booth

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Booth admits the 24-year-old, who has been fast tracked into Martin Johnson's squad because of injuries to other full-backs, has an "abrasive" personality which has got him into trouble in previous seasons.

However, Armitage has shown a greater maturity after becoming a father for the first time and coupled with his work in training, Booth is convinced his man is ready to make his Test debut against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham.

After watching Irish defeat Ospreys 23-19 in the EDF Energy Cup but fail to make the semi-finals, Booth said: "People think Delon is new to the scene but his elevation hasn't just happened. He has been working hard and has become more mature and mellow following the birth of his son.

"He has worked really hard on his kicking game and this is now international standard and I always believed it was just a question of time before he made the senior squad.

"Delon has put the missing parts to his game together and the jigsaw is complete."

London Wasps, Harlequins and Saracens also won their final pool matches in the Cup but failed to get into the last four.

England hooker James Roby is urging the team not to feel sorry for themselves after their worst-ever defeat in the Rugby League World Cup, going down 52-4 to Australia.

They finish their pool fixtures against New Zealand on Saturday and Roby said: "We're still in this World Cup. We've another game next week and we've got to be positive. No one likes to concede 50 points. That is a bit of a kick in the guts."