Irishman Jonny O'Connor has his sights set on the World Cup just a year after his career was thrown into doubt by a serious injury.
The Wasps flanker suffered spinal concussion in the first minute of the 2006 Energy Cup final against the Llanelli Scarlets and spent over six months on the sidelines.
His absence allowed Tom Rees to nail down the Wasps number seven jersey and David Wallace establish himself as the Ireland open-side.
The battle back was as much mental as it was physical but O'Connor made it and featured for Wasps during in the second half of the season.
O'Connor was overlooked for Wasps' Heineken Cup final squad to face Leicester but is looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow after being released to play against the Canadians at Exeter's Sandy Park.
"I am looking forward to playing. It gives me a real focus to get a run of games together so hopefully I can get some form going and finish the season happily," said O'Connor.
"I had a serious injury and nearly had to retire from the game - I don't think a lot of people realise that - and only got back playing at Christmas.
"I had to get over the mental issues to start playing again but I am happy with where I am now compared to this time last year. You just have to keep setting yourselves goals.
"If I had gone on the senior tour to Argentina I might have ended up sitting on the bench, so this way I get to play rugby. You have to look on the bright side."
The Irish squad could be rusty tomorrow night having only met up this week, while the core of the Canada side has been together for over a year.
"We will give them the respect they deserve. We have been watching a few tapes of their autumn internationals. They are a powerful side and it will be a tough game," said O'Connor.
Ireland then have 10 days off before they meet the New Zealand Maori and O'Connor will travel from Exeter to Twickenham on Sunday and meet up with his Wasps squad-mates.
And there is little more incentive for the Wasps squad than knowing a victory would deny their fierce rivals an unprecedented league, cup and European treble.
"As a club, if we don't win trophies then it is disappointing," said O'Connor. "These big games are about great rivalries and we have got one on Sunday."
On the Leicester side will be Shane Jennings, a compatriot who has enjoyed a standout season and will rival Wallace and O'Connor for the emerald number seven jersey at the World Cup.
"I like Shane and he has had a fantastic season but I don't want to be bigging up the Leicester players," he joked. "He played this tournament last year and he is a good player." PA
