Wales internationals Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate are poised to join England flanker Steffon Armitage in returning from France , according to reports across the channel.

While Toulon’s Armitage would join Bath without Rugby Football Union financial input, L'Equipe claims the Welsh Rugby Union has contacted Racing Metro with the view to buying the duo out of their contracts and returning them to the regions. The duo are expected to sign dual-contracts - deals joint-funded by the WRU and the regions.

If the deals occur, they are likely to go through this week as the regions will want the players in place for the European Rugby Champions Cup which starts on Friday. In L'Equipe, Racing Metro coach Laurent Labit is quoted as saying Roberts and Lydiate "never really performed since their arrival".

Roberts left the Cardiff Blues to sign for Metro in 2013 while Lydiate joined the Top 14 club from the Dragons the same year.