Kiwi No8 Alex Tulou wants France spot

Samoan-born former New Zealand sevens international Alex Tulou has his sights set on gaining a place in the France team, he admitted on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old -- who plays his club rugby for French powerhouses Montpellier -- had already attracted the attention of France coach Philippe Saint-Andre for the tour of New Zealand in 2013 but had to turn it down as he was ineligible having played for the New Zealand Sevens side against Tunisia. However, due to a change in the rules of governing body the International Rugby Board (IRB), Tulou, who has applied for a French passport, is now available for selection. "If I had the chance to play for France it would be huge and a great pleasure," said Tulou, who has been with Montpellier since February 2011 following an initial six-month spell in France with Bourgoin. "It would give me the opportunity to play at the highest level," he added. Tulou, scorer of 19 tries in 76 games for Montpellier, said he wants to remain in France after his career is over. "France is my life, I am happy here, and I would like to remain in the country after my rugby career is over," he said. Tulou`s chances of winning a first cap in the November tests -- the French begin against Fiji in Marseille on November 8 -- are pretty high as France have thus far won three and lost five of their Test matches this year.