Young flyer Richard Lane wants to emulate close friend Ollie Devoto and make the step up from Bath Rugby Academy member to first-team regular.
Devoto, 20, emerged as one of the best young players in the Aviva Premiership last season, seamlessly slotting into the centres while Jonathan Joseph was injured before then ousting another England international – Kyle Eastmond – from the starting line-up.
As well as the house the duo share, winger Lane now wants equal billing alongside Devoto in Bath's back-line too.
Lane, who only turned 21 last month, said: "Ollie had an awesome season last year. That motivates me to try and kick on myself and try to achieve what he's achieved. It can only be good to feed off him.
"It's a big season for me. This is the first time I've had a proper pre-season under my belt and I'm feeling good and giving it everything going into the season.
"Hopefully I can get a good amount of games. Any opportunities that come my way I've got to look to take them and see where I end up."
Fellow speedster Olly Woodburn is also keen to make his mark in Blue, Black and White after a tough few years.
Woodburn made his Premiership debut as a 19-year-old in 2011-12 and went on to make 11 league appearances that season.
He has suffered with injuries since and featured in just one top-flight match in that time, although Bath showed their faith in Woodburn's potential by offering him a new contract in February.
Woodburn, now 22, said: "I missed pre-season completely last year, so it's going to be massive for me this year. Hopefully I can go into the season running, feeling fit and looking to get a bit more game time.
"I need to compete with the talent around me but with the amount of skill we've got in the back three it just forces me to up my game.
"I'm learning from them and it's a give and take thing. I'm trying to keep up with them and that's pushing them on, so the whole squad is benefitting."
