The mercurial number 10 was part of Les Bleus side that was blown away by the unforgiving boot of Jonny Wilkinson in England's 24-7 semi-final victory over their cross-channel rivals in Sydney in 2003.

Michalak, who will play in the Super 14 with South African outfit the Sharks next year, still treats that game as a missed opportunity.

And having regained his fitness after a lengthy spell out with knee trouble to force his way into France's 30-man World Cup squad, the 24-year-old is thirsty for another tilt at the William Webb Ellis trophy.

'I have thought about that (the last World Cup) for four years, ever since that lost semi-final,' he said.

'I have always said I will get my revenge. I have digested it and it was an amazing match to experience.

'But it will remain a blow. It is fair to say it left a bitter taste in the mouth.

'We are going to try to make up for it.'

A lot has happened in Michalak's career in that intervening period.

Injuries have curtailed his development, especially over the past year and a half, while he has also opted to end his time in France with Toulouse and try his luck in the southern hemisphere.

Meanwhile, after so many years without any decent competition for the number 10 jersey with Les Bleus, he is now no longer an automatic choice there.

He is one of three fly-halves chosen by France for the World Cup, the others being Stade Francais duo David Skrela and Lionel Beauxis.

But after his injury problems, Michalak is just glad to be back in the fold, adding: 'I was delighted to be on the list.

'I haven't thought about who the coach has in his head (for the fly-half position). That is his problem.

'My problem is to get myself ready and to represent France.'

Michalak's last game for his country came in March 2006, in the 21-16 away win over Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.