Steffon Armitage has become the most talked about Englishman at Toulon, a considerable feat given the presence of Jonny Wilkinson, and, after Stuart Lancaster dropped in to speak to the flanker, his South African back-row colleague Juan Smith reckons the 27-year-old is a certainty for an international recall.
Armitage has not added to his five caps since leaving London Irish for Toulon two seasons ago, a victim of England's policy of only considering exiles in exceptional circumstances, but his form for the Heineken Cup holders, who face Munster in Sunday's semi-final in Marseille, has been noted by England's head coach.
"Steffon Armitage is one of the most special guys I have ever played alongside," says Smith, who has won 69 caps for the Springboks, though none since 2010. "I am surprised that England have not been picking him: he is a short, bulky guy who when he gets over the ball is not cleared off it.
"He is an all-round player who runs, steps, tackles and steals, the worst nightmare for those he plays against. I do not think the fact he is playing in France should make any difference for England. Rugby is a professional sport and players are going to move around.
Heynecke Meyer [the South Africa head coach] picks guys who are based outside the country and I think England should relax their overseas rule. Steffon is one of the best back-rowers in the world. He should be playing Test rugby and it will be a mistake if he is not involved in the World Cup."
The 32-year old Smith is not thinking about reviving his international career. He is simply grateful to be playing again after an achilles tendon injury he endured for more than two years threatened to end his career. He announced his retirement last year before a surgeon rang to say he could help. "It is a sad story with a happy ending," he says. "I had four operations in Pretoria and every time I went into rehab I was in pain. Then a surgeon from Bloemfontein rang and said he could sort it out. It turned out mistakes had been made in the other operations. Now it feels as if I have a new leg."
Toulon have been impressed enough with Smith, who played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, a winner in the latter, to extend his contract to 2016.
"I am very happy here, playing regularly and free from pain," he says. "The way my body is feeling at the moment, perhaps I could play for South Africa again, but they have a number of good young players coming through in my position.
"I am focusing on Toulon and the big matches we have coming up in Europe and the Top 14. Munster will command our total respect because they are a very good side, as they showed in beating Toulouse heavily in the last round. We are going to have to be at our best.
"Looking ahead to the World Cup next year, the standard of rugby in the Heineken Cup and the Top 14 is very high. I have learned a lot during my time with Toulon and I could not be happier."
