The 28-year-old Border Reivers man has agreed to join French side Castres in time for next season.

Moffat is desperate to make the most of his new challenge at club level to help rekindle his international ambitions.

He was forced to watch Edinburgh rival Hugo Southwell make the number 15 spot his own during the RBS 6 Nations.

However, Moffat is hopeful he can kick-start his international career with his move to France.

He said: Its nice to be involved after an absence over the Six Nations and it will be good to go on the Canada tour, it sounds like a good tour against good opposition.

Theres definitely a positive mood around. Weve got a talented, strong squad and theres every hope of doing well on both tours.

Hopefully if I do well then I can force my way back into the full Scotland squad.

Part of the reason for me going to France is that if I can get regular rugby and things are going well then they cant ignore me completely.

Im using it as a new challenge and a way of trying to force my way back into the Scotland squad.

Its always been an ambition of mine to go to France and I got a good offer from a good club so it was hard to say no.

Hopefully I wont be out of Franks sight over there. Im just going over there with the attitude of trying to play good rugby and hopefully the Scotland side of things will take care of itself.

Moffat will be following Borders team-mate Gregor Townsend to Castres and has revealed Scotlands mercurial former stand-off gave his backing to the ambitious transfer.

He added: I spoke to Gregor at length about the move. He was very positive about it. I think he wanted me to stay at the Borders because theres quite a few guys leaving.

But he told me it was a great opportunity and said You cant turn it down. Im not getting any younger so Id like to go over there and give it a go while Ive got the chance.