Maintaining the dream of competing in a home World Cup is what prompted Jonathan Joseph to move to Bath Rugby.
A year ago Joseph was one of the rising stars in English rugby, with the 22-year-old featuring in all three Tests in the summer tour of South Africa.
A fourth cap arrived in the memorable autumn win over New Zealand but a season in a struggling London Irish side has seen his international career stall.
He was an unused squad member in this year's Six Nations and even two starting spots in the summer Test series win in Argentina were not enough to keep Joseph in Stuart Lancaster's EPS camp.
Now the young centre heads to The Rec seeking rejuvenation and a way back into England reckoning before the world's elite descend on these shores in two years' time.
"The tour was one of the few highlights of the year for me," said Joseph. "It was great, we had a young squad and played some attractive rugby.
"I was obviously a bit disappointed not to be in the EPS but I've got to work hard on the things I need to improve on and try to prove why they should put me back in it.
"You've got to look at the World Cup as England are always planning for that.
"This is the year you have got to put your marker down. You're either there or you're not at the end of this year, and coming to Bath is a great opportunity for me.
"The rugby I was playing at Irish last year wasn't the best. I don't think the way we played suited my game but the players here are very talented and the style of play should, hopefully, suit me.
"I'm not too far away. I spoke to the England coaches and I understand what needs to happen. You've got to perform every week for your club to show what you can do."
Joseph arrives at The Rec ready to play alongside the man who effectively replaced him in the EPS squad – Kyle Eastmond. The duo formed an impressive centre pairing against the Pumas, although it was ultimately Eastmond who got the nod from Lancaster.
And with the partnership already having formed solid foundations with England, it will be Bath who see the benefit in the long run.
"It is a bit strange that we had a partnership with England before we did at club level but I think we played well together," said Joseph.
"Kyle is a great talent. He switched codes but has settled into union fine – I think he's a great player. I think England will do well to have him in the set-up. He offers something a bit different to the other centres.
"He's probably more of a distributer than I am and plays a bit more 12, whereas I am more of a 13. We worked well together in Argentina, so hopefully we can build on that."
