Quins back row Maurie Fa’asavalu reckons it is too soon for him to even consider a return to the international arena.

The 30-year-old former St Helens rugby league star played for Great Britain and England during a successful six-year spell in the 13-man game.

Fa’asavalu’s first love is rugby union having played for Samoa in the 2003 World Cup, but a return for his country - who face England this weekend - couldn’t be further from his mind.

And he insists the challenge of earning a regular place in the Stoop starting line-up tops his priorities.

“I’m not concentrating on that. This is my fifth week at the club, so I’m not focusing on that at all,” he said.

“I’m just looking at playing well for Quins. Our aim is to win trophies. That is a big target for us. If that happens, things will happen for me from there.

“We’ve got some class players in the back row, who have represented England. It keeps you honest and keeps you working hard.

“At the end of the day, rugby is a team sport. It is not about the individual. It is what you contribute to the team that counts.”

Fa’asavalu made a robust first appearance for Quins as O’Shea’s men maintained their 100 per cent start to their LV= Cup campaign with a 28-20 triumph over Newcastle Falcons.

The softly-spoken Samoan made 163 appearances - scoring 39 tries - as a forward for Saints, although 157 of those were as an impact substitute.

And Fa’asavalu admits it will take a little time for him to adjust to the physical demands of playing 80 minutes.

“I’ve played rugby union all my life until 2004 and even though I was playing a rugby league I was still watching the game,” he added.

“It is all about learning again now and getting playing.

“It is a bit different to where I used to play for rugby league because I was used as an impact player and did’t always play full games.

“Ball carrying is a big part of my game, but it is about getting forward momentum and getting the team on the front foot and then the space will come.

“I’m really enjoying it. I just need to get settled and learn a few things with the boys and I’ll get there.”