Dan Vickerman admits to feeling nervous after giving himself just five Super 15 games at best to force his way back into the Wallabies squad ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.

The 55-Test veteran lock delivered a major boost for Australian rugby on Friday, signing to return after a three-year absence while studying agricultural economics at Cambridge University.

But he will have precious little time to force his way into Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' squad for the World Cup countdown - notwithstanding the obvious lack of depth in his position.

His new contract is to the end of 2013 but he's only expected to become available for the NSW Waratahs' last two regular-season Super 15 fixtures on June 11 and 19, and then up to three play-off matches if they make the finals.

At his best, Vickerman would be a walk-up start for the Wallabies.

But the 31-year-old veteran of Australia's 2003 and 2007 World Cup campaigns, admitted it would be difficult to fight his way back to the Test arena.

"I'm under no illusions with that," Vickerman said. "There's always a chance that I could be a flop. You never know.

"So I'm excited but nervous. I know what's required, I know the work that I have to do to get into the position to hopefully be selected."

A leg injury has prevented Vickerman from playing any rugby at all since February and he won't return to the fray until October with Cambridge.

He will then have "nine or 10 games" before the annual Varsity Challenge with Oxford University before playing on with Cambridge until completing his degree at the end of May or early June.

Vickerman played his last four Tests under Deans before departing for England in 2008.

Deans said Vickerman - like every other aspiring Test player - would need to earn his next Wallaby cap - but backed him to do so.

"It's great for Australian rugby. He's a 55-Test-capped player so he brings a lot of experience," Deans said.

"He comes back into the business end of Super 15 and he'll press his claims as best he can.

"While Dan's alluded to the fact that it won't be straightforward, in other ways it will be straightforward as well.

"I mean, 2011 looms to be a very exciting year for him.

"He completes his studies and then he lines up within that same calendar year an opportunity to achieve something he may never get another opportunity to do in his life, which is a World Cup.

"The physical benchmarks are well documented so they're easy to chase. He's smart so the game doesn't get ahead of him, in terms of detail within the game.

"And he's expressed the desire, so the capability is there.

"So from our perspective, it's fantastic. The more blokes that are chasing that opportunity the better."

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