Betsen spent 17 years with French side Biarritz

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan has no concerns about the reception new signing French flanker Serge Betsen will get from fans and team-mates.

In recent seasons, Betsen has had altercations on the pitch with ex-Wasps Matt Dawson and Stuart Abbott.

But McGeechan told BBC London 94.9: "Things happen on a rugby field and you move on, he's a competitor and a world class player.

"He's coming to Wasps because he likes the challenge of Wasps."

McGeechan added: "For a man who has done everything that he's done and is still coming to the club because he thinks that's the best challenge for him you can't have a better attitude than that."

The Wasps chief admitted that he had moved for the 34-year old, who has won 64 caps for France, because he will be missing a number of key players to England next season and captain Lawrence Dallaglio is also retiring this summer.

"I think it was important that we got a back row of his experience," McGeechan explained. "Looking at the selection of England for New Zealand, and going forward we are likely to be losing a complete back row for half our Premiership games next year.

"We need that experience to fall back on and be part of for the younger players.

"As Lawrence moves on, we have someone like Serge Betsen. To have his experience coming in at this point in time is very very important to us."

Now Betsen is hoping to win over the Adams Park faithful after ending his 17-year association with Biarritz.

And he insists he still has plenty more left to give, stating: "I'm feeling good, I had a good World Cup with the French team and after the World Cup I joined my club Biarritz but didn't have a good season in the Heineken Cup and in championships.

"I did this for my future, but after rugby I'll be happy to go back and live in Biarritz because France is a country that I want to continue to live in."