Armitage won five England caps before he left to play in the Top 14

The 30-year-old flanker has starred for the French giants in recent seasons

Steffon Armitage is ready for a return to the Aviva Premiership and a potential Test recall with England, according to reports in France.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal confirmed that the powerful flanker has asked to leave the French giants this summer having spoken to England head coach Eddie Jones.

The powerful flanker, who was named European player of the year in 2014, is contracted with Toulon until the end of the 2017 season. Boudjellal would be willing to release Armitage if the club can find a replacement while he would need to be bought out of the final year of his lucrative deal.

Steffon Armitage has told Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal that he wants to leave the Top 14 giants

Since moving from London Irish in 2011, Armitage has starred for the three-time European Cup winners

Armitage won five caps for England before leaving London Irish to join Toulon in 2011. The 30-year-old has starred for the French giants in recent seasons - helping them secure a three successive European Cup titles.

The RFU's stance on selecting overseas-based players, however, has seen Armitage kept in international exile.

Armitage has been linked with a move to Wasps in recent weeks, who are looking to find a replacement for veteran Wallabies flanker George Smith who is returning to play club rugby in Japan at the end of the current campaign.

The RFU's stance on selecting overseas players has kept Armitage in international exile

Armitage nearly signed for Bath last summer, with a view to pushing for a place in Stuart Lancaster's World Cup squad, but the move broke down after a transfer fee could not be agreed between the two clubs.

A move back to England next season for Armitage would further bolster England's back row options with Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola impressing during the Grand Slam campaign while powerful Fiji-born No 8 Nathan Hughes becomes eligible for the Red Rose on June 27.

Toulon, who were knocked out of the European Champions Cup by Racing 92 at the quarter-final stage earlier this season, are currently pushing for a place in the Top 14 play-offs.