Rugby:Reports in the French media have linked London Irish pair Delon Armitage and Nick Kennedy with big spending Toulon. Owner Mourad Boudjellal, who bankrolls the club, is also believed to have reached agreement with France and Toulouse hooker William Servat to join the club.

Armitage, who speaks fluent French, is expected to link up with brother, Steffon; the latter having joined Toulon on a two-year dral last summer. The 28 year old Delon has endured a troubled 12 months for club and country suspended on four occasions and who is under pressure to retain his place in the England squad ahead of Mike Brown (Harlequins) and Ben Foden (Northampton Saints).

Kennedy has been linked with a return to the international set-up for the first time in two years with English secondrows Tom Palmer and Simon Shaw already playing in France and set to fall foul of the English RFU’s strict policy of only selecting overseas-based players in ‘exceptional circumstances.’

Frederic Michalak has also signed for Toulon but is the potential capture of Servat from Toulouse that is the most striking piece of business after the 33 year old failed to secure a new long term deal with his current club. Biarritz and France prop Fabien Barcella has also been linked with Toulon.