As one of the elder statesmen of the France team, there is considerable excitement from fans at the prospect of Morgan Parra playing in his first Guinness Six Nations for four years.
But the scrum-half is taking a team-first mentality and believes only the squad as a whole can help Les Bleus achieve their ambitions this year.
Injuries mean that Parra’s last appearance in the Championship was way back in February 2015 – against Wales at the Stade de France – but he looks set to revive a fruitful half-back partnership with Camille Lopez this year.
Having made his international debut against Scotland in the 2008 Championship, the now 30-year-old No.9 knows what it takes to lift the title, being a key cog as France won the Grand Slam in 2010.
His experience means he will naturally be seen as a leader for a Les Bleus squad that includes plenty of talented young prospects but the man himself is just ecstatic to be pulling on a France jersey once more.
“I was so eager to return to the French group,” Parra told the FFR official website. “We are the same squad with the sole objective of winning and having a good Championship.
“After that, sharing, exchanging ideas or having a little more experience here in the group is an advantage.
“It’s the natural order to integrate the young players the best we possibly can and ensure they fit in both on and off the field.
“But I do not think a single player can revolutionise a system. There is no such thing. Only collectively can you do things, evolve and grow together. Only the collective will win.
“I’m closer to the end than the beginning of my career, so I’ve got a real desire to bring my best to the group because that comes above everything.”
The 2019 Guinness Six Nations sees France face three away games – against the last two Championship winners Ireland and England, as well as Italy.
They do begin in Paris however, welcoming Wales to the Stade de France on Friday evening, and Parra believes the importance of gaining some early momentum can’t be overstated.
“The first game sets up many things,” he added. “It allows you to get on a roll, be in a good state of mind and be in a good place for the trip to London [in Round 2].
“From day one, there are no small matches – that’s the beauty of this Championship. Being able to go through very intense matches one year at home, the next year away, is beautiful.”
