Wednesday 18 May 2016 11:39, UK
Steffon Armitage's prospects of making an England comeback look slim after head coach Eddie Jones denied speaking with the Toulon flanker.
The French club's owner Mourad Boudjellal, who publishes comic books, claimed Armitage told him Jones had been in contact to clear the way to an international return.
Former London Irish back row Armitage has spent six years in exile due to Twickenham's ruling that overseas players can only be selected in exceptional circumstances.
Armitage, who was named 2014 European Player of the Year, has one year left on his contract and his availability has been made known to Aviva Premiership clubs, with Wasps and Bath his likely destinations if a move materialises.
But Jones was quick to play down speculation he has been in touch with Armitage, whose brother Delon plays alongside him at Toulon and also represented England before his move to the Top 14.
"You've got to remember the bloke who makes the comments writes comic books. I will leave it at that," said Jones.
"I don't know whether he writes them or sells them but he has made plenty of money out of them. Batman and Robin won't be in the team."
When asked if there had been any contact with Armitage, Jones added: "Not that I know of.
"People have false Facebook posts and false Twitter accounts, so I suppose you can have a false phone call.
"I don't control him. It's got nothing to do with me. He is not eligible to play for England."
Jones' England squad have gathered in Brighton to prepare for their Sky Live game against Wales at Twickenham on May 29, a match that that will serve as the warm-up to their series against Australia in June.
But he refuses to subscribe to the traditional explanation for a poor end-of-season tour being that it bookends an arduous campaign.
People have false Facebook posts and false Twitter accounts, so I suppose you can have a false phone call.
"I remember one of the first staff meetings we had after the Six Nations when the staff started saying 'they've had a long, hard season'," Jones said.
"As soon as you talk like that, you're saying you don't want to win. Every team in the world has got this same issue.
"The southern hemisphere come here in November - do the All Blacks ever complain about a long, hard season? They enjoy it and they play super rugby.
"There's no reason why we can't go to Australia and play super rugby."
Watch England v Wales on Sky Sports 3 HD. Coverage begins on May 29 at 2:30pm.
