THE stars are aligning for Leicester Tigers playmaker Matt Toomua to make a dream return for the Wallabies and run out against the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup Test on August 18.

Toomua joined the Tigers in the English Premiership in 2016 and after an injury plagued first season has enhanced his reputation as one of the most talented inside backs in the world playing alongside England duo George Ford and Manu Tuilagi.

But the gifted playmaker is back in Australia and with next year’s World Cup on the horizon he is expected to finalise a two-and-a-half year deal with the Melbourne Rebels next week.

It’s understood Toomua’s wife, Australian cricket star Ellyse Perry, will also continue her sparkling sporting career in Melbourne.

By signing with the Rebels, the 28-year-old Toomua would be immediately eligible to add to his 33 Tests in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand in Sydney, despite having another season left to run on his contract in England.

Toomua is familiar with Rebels coach Dave Wessels, who was an assistant during his time in Canberra with the Brumbies.

Toomua remains under contract with the Tigers until 2020 after signing an extension last November, but it’s understood he has a clause which would allow him to return to Australia in May following the 2018-19 European season.

It remains unclear how heavily Toomua will feature for the Rebels next year.

The Rebels’ final regular season match is on June 14 and Super Rugby rules require players to feature in three or more games to be eligible for the finals series.

Toomua’s workload with Leicester will also be taken into consideration.

The Wallabies are currently in camp in Sydney but Toomua is not allowed to train as the international window is closed.

The only 2018 Wallabies Test sitting outside the international window is the third Bledisloe in Yokohama on October 27.

That means the Wallabies would need to negotiate with the Tigers for his release, as well as fellow Leicester star Tatafu Polota-Nau.

The impending return of Toomua is a major coup for Australian rugby — even if he doesn’t get selected for the opening Bledisloe.

The former Brumbies fly-half/inside centre hasn’t played a Test since limping off injured against the All Blacks in Sydney in 2016.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has a big hole at No 10 behind vice captain Bernard Foley.

Kurtley Beale and Reece Hodge filled the role during the June series against Ireland, but the former is Cheika’s inside centre and the latter has been used off the bench to cover a number of positions given his excellent versatility.

Young Rebels back Jack Maddocks and Reds flyhalf Hamish Stewart are seen as long term No 10 options, but both are coming off their first full Super Rugby seasons and neither have played a Test.