Poulter excited by cup pairing

Poulter secured his first win of the year at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan on Sunday while Rose rounded off a superb season with a victory at the Volvo Masters that also cemented his place as Europe's number one for 2007.

"It's a great opportunity to play with Justin and it would certainly be nice to win the World Cup," said Poulter. "Justin has come close and the England side has been strong for a number of years."

Both players have World Cup experience with Poulter partnering Paul Casey as England finished fifth in 2001 while Rose and Casey fared even better in 2002 and 2003 as they placed third and fourth respectively.

But this year's tournament in China will be the first time Poulter has been paired with Rose and the 31-year-old is keen for the duo to not only capture a third success for England at the event, but also catch the eye of Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo.

"It will be an exciting week and to pair up with Justin in what could, hopefully, be a pairing next September at the Ryder Cup as well. We will have a bit of fun out on the course at Mission Hills."

Poulter, who leapt into the world's top 20 following his victory at the weekend, has enjoyed a long-running friendship with Rose with the two first meeting on the European Challenge Tour in 1999.

And their good connection off the course could prove beneficial in providing results on it as they look to wrest the trophy back for England for the first time since Casey and Luke Donald's success three years ago.

"I bumped into him when I was first reserve at the French Open and he was on the putting green," said the Hitchin-born Poulter.

"We got chatting and then started rooming together on the Challenge Tour. We have been very good mates for eight years now. We are neighbours in Lake Nona and play quite a few practice rounds together when we are over there together."