Round-Up: I am still open to England recall, says Steffon Armitage

Steffon Armitage scored two tries as Toulon won 24-9 at home to Leinster in the Champions Cup

Steffon Armitage scored two tries as Toulon won 24-9 at home to Leinster in the Champions Cup (Getty)

Steffon Armitage has admitted he “wouldn’t say no” if he got a call from the new England coach, Eddie Jones, to reignite his international career but has insisted his immediate aim is to continue performing well for Toulon.

Armitage was named European Player of the Year in 2014 but, despite his impressive displays for Toulon, he could not force his way into Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad this summer owing to England’s policy of not selecting overseas-based players.

The 30-year-old flanker gave another reminder of his talent here with a starring role in Toulon’s 24-9 European Champions Cup win over Leinster, scoring two tries as well as helping his side force nine turnover penalties.

While Jones, who replaced Lancaster after England’s miserable World Cup campaign, has said he is happy to adhere to England’s rule of only picking players who play in the Premiership, Armitage has not given up hope of adding to his five caps.

“I wouldn’t say no, but my first thing is to keep playing well for Toulon and keep my place here,” said Armitage after being asked about playing for his country again.

“That’s the only way I am going to get anywhere at international level – keep my head down and keep pushing. Who knows what is going to happen in the future?”

Elsewhere, Saracens maintained their unbeaten start to the season and took a stranglehold on Pool One of the Champions Cup with an emphatic 45-10 bonus-point win over tournament newcomers Oyonnax.

There were tries for Alex Goode, Chris Wyles, Maro Itoje, Richard Wigglesworth and Schalk Brits, plus a penalty try and 13 points from the boot of Owen Farrell as the visitors eased to victory over a side sitting bottom of the French Top 14 table.