Steffon Armitage swaps Toulon for Pau

Pau have confirmed the signing of Steffon Armitage from Top 14 rivals Toulon on a three-year contract.

Back-row Armitage had been linked with a return to England with Wasps in a bid to resurrect his international career before Pau emerged as front-runners for his signature.

Pau announced on Thursday that a deal has now been agreed for the 30-year-old forward, who was named European Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season and played a key role as Toulon were crowned European champions three years in a row.

Armitage won the last of his five England caps back in 2010 and there are doubts over whether he will feature at international level again given the Rugby Football Union's policy of not selecting players based overseas.

The former London Irish powerhouse will link up with his ex-Toulon team-mate Carl Hayman, who has been employed as forwards coach by Pau.

Armitage also won the Top 14 title in the 2013-14 campaign during a fruitful spell at the club.