James Haskell knows that playing in the Heineken Cup for Stade Francais is his big chance to thrust for a place in Martin Johnson's England team.
The former Wasp, who made a summer switch to the glamour side of the Orange Top 14 says he intends to use the upcoming Heineken Cup campaign as a springboard to getting his England place back.
"It is a massively important tournament for me," he admitted. "Every week we play massive games in France. Last week 46,000 watched us against Toulouse.
"But playing against English sides - against players I'm vying with for international selection - is very important to me."
Haskell insists he has no regrets over his move across the channel.
"When I came here I'd been dropped by England, I'd missed out on the Lions tour and my Wasps place was rickety.
"I came here for a change and to become a new man. I'm loving it and I'm playing good rugby. The reason I came out here was that I wanted to let my rugby do the talking, which it is, not least because my French is pretty terrible!
"I'd be disappointed if I get to the end of the season without playing for England."
