Ten days before the start of the French rugby season, Brive number eight Alix Popham says he is hoping that he can catch the attention of Wales coach Warren Gatland and earn a recall to the national set-up.
The 30-year-old won the last of his 33 caps in Gatland's first game in charge during the 2008 Six Nations but is eager to press his credentials as the countdown starts for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
"I miss being a part of the Wales set-up and playing for Wales enormously," he told AFP. "I would love to get myself back into the frame."
Popham acknowledges that moving to Brive in the summer of 2008 after successful spells with Newport, Leeds and Llanelli has not helped his cause.
"There are lots of positive aspects from a personal perspective about coming to live and play in France but it has certainly taken me away from the Wales spotlight," he said.
"Warren likes his players playing for Welsh regions so that he can keep an eye on them, go and see them week in week out, and if he wants to have a training camp, well most of them are only an hour from Cardiff.
"It didn't help last season that I only played in the first European Cup game against Scarlets when I snapped my tricep so I was out for 12 weeks.
"The next one I played was against Leinster. I played well in both of them but the Leinster game was only a week before the start of the Six Nations and I think he (Gatland) had his team already sorted by then."
Gatland may have to reconsider Popham's position, however, as quality number eights are a little thin on the ground in Wales at the moment.
Ryan Jones has had problems with his form, Gareth Delve has moved to Australia to join the new Super 15 franchise in Melbourne while Andy Powell has also moved away from the Welsh regions to join English side Wasps.
That could leave the door ajar for a Popham recall although he admits there has been no contact yet from the Kiwi coach.
"I have not had any contact from Warren but (skills coach) Neil Jenkins has said they are keeping a close eye on me.
"So all I can hope is that someone tells Warren that I am available and that I can put in some good performances for Brive. If Brive do well then that can only help put me back on the radar."
This season is likely to be the last in France before Popham returns to either Wales or England, a move that is certain to bring him back in the spotlight. But his ambition is to be firmly in the picture ahead of next year's World Cup.
"I have been lucky enough to be involved in two World Cups before and they are brilliant - although losing to Fiji in the last one (in 2007) was not a great day.
"Not many rugby players get the chance to play in a World Cup so I would love to have another crack."
Brive meet Leicester in a pre-season friendly on Saturday before opening their Top 14 campaign against Racing Metro on August 13.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
