Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage has reportedly expressed regret over being drunk during an incident that resulted in the rugby star being charged with assault but has denied wrongdoing.

The 29-year-old and teammate Xavier Chiocci were arrested last month after a 30-year-old tennis coach reportedly suffered facial injuries in an incident on December 13.

At that time, Armitage, who has been tipped for an England World Cup call-up, was celebrating his team's Champions Cup victory over Leicester.

According to La Provence, Armitage said in court: "I contest the charges against me. I do not remember anything. I was really drunk and feel that I unintentionally fell on the victim, this injuring him but without doing it intentionally.

"One thing is for certain, I very much regret being drunk. I'm a professional player and as such must set an example."

French prosecutors are believed to have requested a five- to six-month suspended jail sentence.