At the request of the player and the Melbourne Rebels, Matt Toomua has returned to Australia to join up with his new club.

The Wallabies international centre was due to meet up with his new colleagues at the conclusion of the Gallagher Premiership season, but Leicester Tigers agreed to the request to depart a week early.

Toomua flew back to Australia on Sunday and has already trained with the Rebels as they continue their Super Rugby campaign.

After joining Tigers in 2016, Toomua made his debut in a European Cup fixture against Glasgow and, although he missed most of that season with a knee injury, he returned to be named Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2018/19 and has made a total of 41 appearances for the club.