Toulouse hooker William Servat feared for his career after spending seven months out of the game through injury.
The 28-year-old, who has played 16 times for France, underwent surgery on a hernia in October after suffering the problem in his side’s Top 14 clash with Perpignan a month earlier.
Servat missed Les Bleus’ autumn Test matches as well as this year’s Six Nations Championship but is back to full fitness and is expected to start on the bench against Clermont-Auvergne on Sunday.
He is now savouring the moment after thinking for some time he may never be able to play rugby again.
"Up until the operation and even a while after, I thought rugby was over for me," said Servat.
"But this injury has allowed me to take a step back in my life. Rugby is important – this is not only my job but more my passion.
"But it is out of question that I would endanger my future and that of my relatives to be back at any price."
Raphael Ibanez was hooker for France during the Six Nations while Sale’s Sebastien Bruno and Stade Francais number two Dimitri Szarzewski are also competing for the berth.
Servat therefore knows he will have to be at his best if he is to reclaim his place in France’s team for next year’s World Cup.
"I have to be effective with my club if I am going to be back at the top," he added. "I would be nothing without Toulouse.
"As far as the France team and the World Cup are concerned, I would be lying if I said I was not thinking about it. I will do my best to be chosen again."
