UGO MONYE turned down lucrative moves to France because he was not prepared to give up on his England career after 13 caps and with his last memory being carted off the field at Murrayfield.

Monye has been recalled to England’s senior squad for the QBE autumn internationals after a blistering start to the season and he is poised to feature against Fiji on November 10.

The Harlequins wing has been stuck on unlucky 13 since he suffered a neck injury at Murrayfield during England’s desperate 15-15 draw with Scotland in 2010.

In the intervening time, Monye has struggled with injuries which affected his form and confidence. But he never gave up on his England ambitions.

The sense of unfinished business with both club and country persuaded him to turn down Racing Metro and stick with Harlequins.

The first reward came last season, when the club won their first Aviva Premiership title. Monye hopes the second will unfold this autumn.

‘‘It would have shown a real lack of ambition from me to go to France,’’ Monye said.

‘‘I am an ambitious player.

Thirteen caps. You want to achieve all you can achieve and I didn’t feel as if I had done that.

‘‘It was a huge decision whether to stay at Quins or go abroad. It affects everything.

‘‘I thought if I was in France, watching the Harlequins boys win the Premiership on TV, I really would have been heartbroken.

‘‘England was part of it too.

If you go to France you put yourself out of the England picture.

‘‘There are too many good players in the Premiership playing well in a tough league to put yourself out of the picture.

‘‘I have given everything and sacrificed a lot to be in this position and I am desperate to play for England.

‘‘I was excited driving up to this training camp.

“I was nervous before my fitness tests because I wanted to do well. This is a good place to be.

‘‘I certainly wouldn’t be here now with England if I had gone to France.’’