England scrum-half Matt Dawson has praised the Wasps coaching staff for helping him get back into the international fold.
The 32-year-old has reclaimed the number nine jersey for Saturday's RBS Six Nations opener against Wales five months after being dumped out of England's Elite Player Squad.
"(Wasps coach) Warren Gatland has had a big influence on the way I have been playing this year," said Dawson.
"I would like to think that there is a little bit more to my game over the last six to eight months than it has been previously.
"I have been in the game a lot more, changing my lines of running and learning a lot of different skills away from the traditional passing and kicking."
England coach Andy Robinson, who was in an acting capacity in September following the departure of Sir Clive Woodward, decided to axe the 65-cap player after Dawson was unable to attend training through television commitments.
 |  Wales are a quality outfit and they will turn England over if we don't turn up in any category |
But after making his point in leaving Dawson out of the autumn internationals, Robinson has selected the spiky half-back for the potentially explosive encounter in Cardiff.
"It was vital that we had strong leadership at nine and 10, and I think that's where Dawson is the best in the world in terms of his leadership, organisation and management of the game," said Robinson.
"He is a hugely competitive player, who really has that edge."
Robinson made the call after seeing Dawson produce impressive displays in the Heineken Cup and Zurich Premiership, scoring three tries in the process.
And Dawson is ready to show that he has the ability to keep Harry Ellis and Andy Gomarsall out of the England side for the rest of the competition.
"The decision on whether I carried on playing for England was ultimately down to the selectors," Dawson said.
"But they put it on my head and said 'play your rugby'.
"I have said this season that I want to concentrate on playing for Wasps and if England want to pick me at the relevant times then I would love to play and nothing has really changed.
"I have concentrated on playing consistently for Wasps, trying to improve my game and Andy has stuck to his word and he deems that I am on good form at the moment and wants me to play."
Life on the international stage has not been easy for Dawson, who for many years had a titanic tussle with Saracens' Kyran Bracken for the England scrum-half berth.
Gomarsall was the man in the box seat during the autumn internationals and with Ellis also making a strong case for selection, Dawson is expecting another tough battle to keep his place.
 Matt Dawson (R) talks tactics with England coach Andy Robinson |
"Kyran and I set a precedent," added Dawson. "In years gone by it was fairly set who was going to play scrum-half.
"But when Kyran and I came on the scene there was always that battle and then there was Gomarsall and Austin Healey - so there were four.
"Harry has got it all in front of him and he is a great player. I have a lot of time for him.
"When he becomes the player that I know he will be then he has every chance of making the shirt his own."
But for now, Dawson is preparing himself for the unique atmosphere of the Millennium Stadium for the clash against Wales.
"I remember the first 10-15 minutes of the match down there four years ago," he said.
"They are the sort of atmospheres that you remember for the rest of your life.
"Wales are a quality outfit and they will turn England over if we don't turn up in any category."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
All the action
Cardiff