Pelous endured a tortuous 2005/06 campaign, missing last summers Test matches with a serious knee injury only to be banned for nine weeks for elbowing Australia hooker Brendan Cannon upon his return in November.

The 32-year-old lock, who has won 107 caps, returned to captain France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, during which his country suffered a surprise defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.

Toulouse, his club side, then crashed out of the European Cup at the quarter-final stage before losing to Biarritz in the final of the French club championship.

Pelous knows the season did not go to plan, and views Saturdays Test in Budapest as a perfect chance to start putting things right.

I lost my final against Biarritz, I was suspended for nine weeks, I lost my game against Leinster (European Cup quarter-final 41-35), so we could say it was an awful season for me, Pelous said.

This Test gives me the chance to forget about all the injuries and sanctions from last season and that is what I am focused on.

Pelous, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with Toulouse, refuses to look too far ahead.

France will host next years World Cup, but the national-team captain is adamant they must concentrate on their upcoming Tests against Romania and then South Africa in Cape Town the following Saturday.

I am not thinking about the World Cup at the moment because the present time is far more important to me after such a disappointing season, Pelous said.

When I look back on the season, it is not certain I will be captain for the World Cup in one years time. I have no privileged right to be in the side and after the season I have had, I cannot be certain of anything.

Pelous, who made his international debut against Romania almost 11 years ago, insists he is completely focused on his rugby now he has agreed terms with Toulouse.

Its been really important for me to sign the two-year contract with Toulouse and it gives me a lot of satisfaction to have done so, he said.

I feel far more confident now because when you dont know where you are going to be playing, you cannot possibly feel happy.

Team manager Jo Maso has told Fabien Pelous he must recapture his best form if he is to lead his country at next years World Cup.

Fabien is not in top form but we have talked about next season and what challenges lie ahead, Maso said.

Fabien knows the situation. There are 10 internationals before the World Cup and he knows he has to be ready and at the top of his game if he is to be captain for it.

Maso expects Pelous, who has won 107 caps, to use the upcoming internationals to prepare himself for the visit of World Cup favourites New Zealand in November.

Fabien needs time to recapture his form, he said. He is a big unit and he needs to start his pre-season earlier than usual to be ready by November.

We have faith in Fabien and we have told him to make sure he is ready to face New Zealand.