Dawson was the second-highest points scorer in Saints history

The World Cup winner ended his 12-year spell at Northampton this week and is relishing the new challenge at Wasps.

"If you are going to move to a club in England, you want to go to Wasps. To get that opportunity is very exciting," said the scrum-half.

"Hopefully, it will be a good couple of years for Matt Dawson, whatever I do with Wasps or with England."

Having denied on Monday that a deal was done, Wasps announced the signing of Dawson on Tuesday morning.

Potentially I want to put myself forward for the Lions tour next year Matt Dawson

From the euphoric high of winning the World Cup last November, Dawson was brought back down to earth with a bump at Northampton last season.

A combination of injuries and the form of Mark Robinson - originally brought in as cover while Dawson was at the World Cup - relegated him to a bit-part role at Franklin's Gardens.

And for a man who harbours ambitions of a third Lions tour to New Zealand next year, Dawson felt it was time for a change and a new challenge with the double winners.

"Winning the World Cup was the pinnacle of my rugby career, but I have certainly been brought back down to earth during the season and so far on this trip," Dawson said.

On current form he would be third choice at Wasps - I think he is simply a stop-gap for Howley From Bill Taylor Have your say on Scrum V

"It has been quite a hard year, I had a few niggles and was just not getting a run of games at the club which was a disappointment.

"I am disappointed to leave Northampton but I was a bit apprehensive as to what the next two years would hold for me.

"Potentially I want to put myself forward for the Lions tour next year."

Dawson has been signed as cover for Rob Howley, who will have an operation on Wednesday that will keep him out for four months.

Howley was an integral part of Wasps' remarkable season, capped by a last-gasp try at Twickenham that clinched Heineken Cup victory over Toulouse, and Dawson expects to have to fight for his place when both are fit.

Academy: Dawson's dummy masterclass

"I have spent the whole of my life with competition," he added. "You can't give me any stage of my life where I haven't been vying for the number nine spot.

"Apart from one year at Northampton where the other scrum-half has been playing all the rugby, I have had a comfort ride at club level so it is time to test myself."

Dawson scored 66 tries for Saints and kicked 79 penalties, 64 conversions and one drop-goal to notch up a tally of 693 points - the club's second-highest points scorer behind England team-mate Paul Grayson.