Wigan full-back Morgan Escare keen to claim France World Cup spot

Morgan Escare is hoping his move to Wigan can help him win back his place in the French national team, ahead of this year's World Cup.

The 25-year-old full-back played in the 2013 tournament but lost his place to Catalans Dragons' team-mate Tony Gigot for last October's international against England - on the back on a disappointing domestic season.

Escare made just 10 appearances for the Dragons during 2016, after falling out of favour with coach Laurent Frayssinous.

He has now moved to the Warriors for the 2017 season, along with Catalans team-mate Romain Navarrete.

Escare will come face-to-face with the Dragons this Saturday, in a pre-season friendly at Stade Gilbert Brutus which rounds off Wigan's training camp in the south of France.

Regarding the Dragons, Escare said: "I didn't have the best of years and, although I was fit and ready, the manager made the choice not to play me.

"I get on really well with the coach and my team-mates, it was two players competing for one place, me against Tony Gigot.

"I really want to come back from that stronger and fitter, especially with the World Cup at the end of the season.

"It's every player's ambition to represent his country. If I can get a starting place, then it will hopefully have a knock-on effect in terms of my international ambitions."

Escare will start the season at full-back in place of Sam Tomkins who is not expected to complete his recovery from foot surgery until April.

He added: "Sam's clearly a great player with a great pedigree. To be able to train with him and compete for the shirt is a huge motivation."

And Wigan coach Shaun Wane is delighted to have acquired the Frenchman: "He's an outstanding talent and he's fitted in well. His English is not great but his rugby knowledge is out of this world."