Gower puts Italy's World Cup cause first

Australian-born five eighth Craig Gower insists he is fully focused on playing for Italy at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September and October.

There's been much speculation about the possibility of 33-year-old Gower returning to rugby league in the NRL as he has finished his contract with French rugby union club Bayonne.

But Gower says he's putting Italy's World Cup cause first and where - and what code - he plays after that appears open.

The former league international is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury which required surgery and ruled him out of Italy's Six Nations tournament campaign early in the year.

"I am completely concentrated on my recovery following the operation on my knee," Gower said.

"My only aim for the moment is to compete for the Azzurro (Italy) shirt in the World Cup in September and October, as long as I am able to physically.

"I'm out of contract with Bayonne and I've left open every door.

"Where I go after that is still undecided but, I repeat, I want to play at the World Cup with the blue (Italy) shirt."