The good times are rolling again for Leeds's Irish scrum-half Christian Saverimutto. Saverimutto, a key component in Leeds coach Phil Davies's plans for his side to win a place in Allied Dunbar Premiership One, believes the club are firmly on track to achieve that goal.

Now back to his best after two years in the wilderness following a horrific knee injury, Saverimutto is also chasing a recall to the Irish international side.

Saverimutto was with Manchester Sale when he first established himself as Ireland's first choice in 1995 and a long international career beckoned. But it all went horribly wrong the following year when he severely damaged cruciate ligaments in his knee while playing sevens rugby for Ireland against the United States.

"Ironically I was in the process of scoring my first international try when I was needlessly tackled," he said. "I knew at once that something was badly wrong."

It was the dawn of full-time professionalism in rugby union and Saverimutto was on the brink of signing full-time professional contracts with Sale and the Irish Rugby Football Union.

"The injury couldn't have been more badly timed," he admitted. "My career had taken off and suddenly everything was in jeopardy. It was the lowest point of my career."

It would have been easy to throw in the towel but Saverimutto is made of sterner stuff. "It was make or break but I was determined to get back," he said.

Saverimutto finally won his fitness battle in 1997 and a move to the ambitious Headingly-based club soon followed. "At first I was worried about joining a Division Three side, as Leeds were then, but their ambition was obvious and this club is on course to go to the very top."

Leeds made a poor start to the Premiership Two campaign this season but have now found their best form, which was illustrated by their superb recent victory over the touring Fijians.

The 27-year-old Saverimutto is relishing his rugby again and is eyeing a return to the international fold with Ireland.

"I would love to pull on the green jersey again," he said. "I represented England at colts level but was invited to play for Ireland because of Irish ancestry on my mother's side. I never regretted switching my allegiance to Ireland and my international ambitions are as strong as ever."