The Aviva Premiership club announced on Monday that the full-back will be heading abroad next season, signing a two-year deal to join his brothers Steffon and Guy at the Top 14 big spenders.

It will be the second time Armitage has played in France, with both Steffon and himself having starred for Nice before arriving at London Irish.

But while the full-back will be leaving this summer, Exiles director of rugby Smith is not ruling out the possibility of the player coming back to the Madejski Stadium in the future.

Talented bunch

"I think 'Delo' going abroad, that's just what happens," he told Sky Sports. "Players have got to look after themselves.

"Will he come back? I hope he does. He does know that the door will always be open here.

"Toulon have got three good 'uns there in Steff, Guy and Delon.

"The door will always be open for the Armitages here at London Irish. They are a talented bunch."

While disappointed to lose a player of Armitage's quality, Smith recognises that his departure offers an opportunity for someone else in his squad.

"I think Delon would see himself down the pecking order a little bit I the England frame and clearly the French budgets are a lot bigger than ours, so a lot of leading players are going overseas," he added.

"But with Delon going it probably means there is space for a younger kid to step up."