Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley says he’d welcome the return of Matt Toomua to Australian rugby.
Toomua is currently signed with the UK’s Leicester Tigers until 2020 but he is being strongly linked to a move to the Melbourne Rebels.
Though the Brumbies have also expressed interest in his return, Toomua is believed to be keen to settle in Victoria with cricketer wife Ellyse Perry down the track.
Toomua left Australia after the 2016 Super Rugby season with 33 Tests to his name but he has stayed well and truly on the Wallabies radar.
If Toomua does sign with the Rebels for 2019, he would immediately become eligible for the Wallabies and could theoretically be available in this year’s Rugby Championship.
Foley said he would be happy to see Toomua return to the fold and expected his overseas stint would make him a stronger player than he was before his departure.
“Matt is a quality player, we've seen that when he came on the scene at such a young age, an 18-year-old, he was thrust into Super Rugby,” he aid.
“He's a quality player and I think if he does come back his time overseas will put him in good stead, his ability to read the game, control the game, he's always had such a solid defence and kicking game that he'll be an asset for any team he's in.”
Toomua has been with the Tigers for two seasons, though he missed most of his first year with an ACL injury.
He has established himself as one of the best in the Premiership in the 2017-18 season and won the Tigers fans’ player of the year award.
