The flanker, whose last appearance for the national side came in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations, has been in imperious form since moving to France from London Irish in 2011 and proved as much by notching a try in their 22-14 victory over Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has been reluctant to select overseas players since the RFU stated in 2011 they would only do so in “exceptional circumstances”.

But Former England fly-half Wilkinson believes England would be better off considering Armitage for the games against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, insisting his talent cannot be ignored any longer.

“The job that he does is world class and when you are world class you deserve to be in a squad,” said Wilkinson.

“He is a great player. I have the luxury of seeing him play week in and week out, which is always a big thing.

“But he is in a league where guys like that are gold dust - guys that can mould themselves round the ball on the floor and get you penalties and turnovers and change the passage of the game in a couple of actions and turn difficult defence into good attacking ball.

“Any team needs it and we are lucky to have him on ours. There are a load of good ones around and I think he is one of the best.”