After getting a taste of French rugby, utility back Dane Haylett-Petty will return to the Western Force for their 2014 Super Rugby campaign.

Haylett-Petty played three seasons for the Force between 2008-10, and also featured heavily for the Australian Under-20 side at the 2008 and 2009 IRB Junior World Championship.

The 23-year-old has spent the past few seasons playing for Biarritz in the French Top 14, but returned to Force colours on Wednesday night for the club’s 69-17 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Perth.

Haylett-Petty said it was always his plan to return to the Force.

“It was a great experience going overseas and I feel like I learnt a lot,” Haylett-Petty said.

“You play 36 games a season against some of the best players and teams in Europe week in, week out, which gave me some valuable experience.

“But I’m ready to come back and give Super Rugby a crack.”

The Force will be hoping to record just their fourth win of the season when they take on the NSW Waratahs in Perth on Sunday.