But a year after taking over the Test captaincy, Mowen is content with his decision to walk away from his World Cup dream to enjoy more time with his family in France.

Mowen also said he could not have given his full commitment to another year in Australia after making family his priority.

Mowen shocked Australian rugby when he quit the Wallabies captaincy in January and announced his decision to join French club Montpellier on a three-year deal.

Ten months on, he is embracing life in the south of France and says the increased time he gets with his family has vindicated his decision to leave the ACT Brumbies and the Wallabies.

Flanker Michael Hooper stepped up as Australia's captain after Stephen Moore injured his knee in June and the Wallabies could boast up to five former Test skippers – Hooper, Moore, David Pocock, James Horwill and Will Genia – in their squad at the World Cup.

While Australia is still finding its feet under new coach Michael Cheika, Mowen is confident the Wallabies have the depth to win the tournament in England and Wales.

"There's a wealth of experience and you need guys who have been in that position [captaincy] who understand how tough that job is and how hard it is to get 30 guys moving in the same direction," Mowen said.

"It is a collective effort, you need guys around you who can help drive those messages. It can't be left to one guy.

"So having four or five guys with that sort of experience is going to be a massive benefit to the team. There have been positive signs for the Wallabies the last 12 months.

"I think it's unfair to analyse too much now … a coach like Michael Cheika is implementing his style and it won't happen overnight, but he's got a track record of turning teams around and it won't be a drama."

Mowen played 15 Tests for the Wallabies last year. He was captain in six of those after then-coach Ewen McKenzie elevated him to the role ahead of Horwill.

But after a nine-year grind in Super Rugby chasing his Wallabies goal, Mowen decided to put family first to move to France.

His decision stunned almost everyone in Australia given his Wallabies career was in its infancy and he was leading a revival at the Brumbies.

But Mowen said the move had allowed him to spend extra time with wife Lauren and two-year-old daughter Eleanor. Mowen and Lauren are expecting their second child in coming days.

The expert lineout general admits he misses wearing the Wallabies gold jersey, but said being able to experience Eleanor's growth outweighed the importance of his rugby career

"We're absolutely loving it, it's different but in such a better way than we thought," Mowen said.

"The football side is great and so is Montpellier, but the life is so conducive to family time and we're having a ball.

"I definitely have days watching the Wallabies play where you'd love to be a part of it and it's disappointing that you know that part of your career is finished. But I don't want to be looking backwards.

"It is balanced out very quickly by the enjoyment we've got as a family in the south of France. Our daughter is two and she speaks a lot more French than we do … it's little gifts like that to reward the family. It's 100 per cent the best decision for us."

The ARU has strict eligibility rules requiring players to play in Australia if they want to be picked for the Wallabies.

But the chance to escape the grind of Super Rugby, experience a new culture and lucrative contracts are luring Australians abroad.

Matt Giteau was crowned Europe's best player at an awards function this week following an outstanding season with Toulon.

Mowen, Drew Mitchell, Kane Douglas, James O'Connor, George Smith, Nick Cummins and Hugh McMeniman all play in France, Ireland or Japan.

But Mowen said that people have the wrong idea if they think playing in France is easy.

"It's a holistic view in terms of what you're getting. I never thought I'd be abroad before the 2015 World Cup, maybe after. But kids come along and things change," Mowen said.

"This time last year I was on the spring tour with the Wallabies and my only thought then was excitement about where this team could head before the World Cup.

"But by the time the tour ended, I thought I couldn't give that commitment. I needed a change of direction, it's amazing how much things change in a short period."