Carter has vowed to maintain an international intensity on a four-match stint with the Bordeaux-Begles to ensure he can slot straight into the Wallabies' World Cup squad if he gets an SOS.

The Wallabies can only carry 31 players in their training squad for the tournament, but Carter's close proximity puts him in the box seat for a call-up if the Wallabies are hit by second-row injuries.

The 26-year-old flew with the team from the United States to England, but had to board another flight to France when the Wallabies boarded their World Cup bus to Bath.

Being so close could tempt him to channel Susie Maroney and swim across the gap, but Carter says being agonisingly close to the action will fuel his slim hopes after recovering from a knee injury.

"It's a good chance to be on the same time zone instead of going back home and then having to fly for 22 hours to get back if needed," Carter said.

"The only thing I've been doing is everything I can to be ready to go into the squad if something happens [with injuries to other players].

"If being in France is the best thing for my situation, then that's what I'll do. It is tough being here, but I've done everything I can. If this is what it takes, I'm happy to do it."

The Wallabies started training in Bath on Tuesday, but they have a wider group spread around the world ready to answer injury emergencies.

Carter, halfback Nic White (Montpellier) and former Test captain James Horwill (Harlequins) are playing in Europe while hooker James Hanson and playmaker Christian Lealiifano will line up in the National Rugby Championships.

But the Wallabies will start the tournament with every player available for selection and confident they will be able to get through the World Cup without calling for reinforcements.

Carter, the son of former Wallaby David, said he wasn't weighed down by the disappointment of injury cruelling his World Cup hopes.

He fractured the tibia plate in his right knee and tore the medial ligament in a Super Rugby game for the Brumbies.

He pushed the limit of recovery to race back in time to be in contention for World Cup selection, but his lack of game time in the build-up counted against him.

"But I get a new experience of playing in France while still being able to play for the Brumbies and being available for the Wallabies," Carter said.

"It's not going to train what I do, I still train as hard as I can and play any games available for me.

"It will be good exposure and a good experience for me going forward in the future, regardless of what happens with any World Cup stuff.

"I have to be ready, I'm not going to go on a five or six week holiday. That won't help anyone, I'm just thinking I'll be ready to go."