The versatile back-row forward has been blighted by injuries at key times since winning the last of his four caps 19 months ago.
But having led the Scarlets resurgence this season, McCusker is vying with regional teammates Josh Turnbull, Aaron Shingler and Ospreys’ stalwart Ryan Jones to pull on the Wales number six jersey.
“It’s nice to be back in the fold. It’s been a while,” said McCusker. “It would be great to pull on the jersey again.”
“There’s definitely a place there (blindside flanker) to target. I don’t know what they are thinking. There are various options. But you’ve got to be in it to win it, as they say.
“So it’s up for grabs as I see it. I do want to get involved in this series. And although I’m a senior player at the Scarlets, I’m a relative newbie in the Welsh squad and there are obviously more senior players than me there.
“It will be kind of nice not to have all eyes on you looking for a call or what happens next. Maybe there will a bit of pressure off me and I can just train hard and play some rugby.”
McCusker has spent the majority of the season at No.8 for the west Wales region but he reckons he can make a seamless transition to his former position.
“It’s where I’ve played most of my rugby. I’ve kind of just gone about my rugby this season as a six, but with a few little add-ons for the eight positions.
“I would like to think I could slot back in there at six without too much adjustment.”
But the 26-year-old from Wrexham is well aware of the competition he faces, most notably from his Scarlets teammates.
“They are both playing well and will be as up for nailing down a position for Wales as me,” added the Scarlets skipper.
“But I’m sure we will help each other out when it comes to it.”
