Gloucester back Jonny May has revealed that it would be a "dream" come true for him to make the England squad for this year's Rugby World Cup on home soil.
May is currently one of a 50-strong training squad being assessed by head coach Stuart Lancaster, although that number will be cut by five on Friday before a weekend trip to continue their preparation in Denver.
The final squad will contain just 31 players, and May is using the thought of playing on the biggest stage in front of a home crowd to spur him on in an attempt to make the final cut.
"It would be incredible. We've spoken about the power of the nation getting behind us and giving us an extra 10% out on the pitch. With everybody watching us and being behind us, it gives us that huge responsibility which will put the pressure on us, but if we can use that in a positive way to go out there and give more, it's going to be great," he told PA.
"I've got to draw my mind back into right now. It's a long way off now but to think about it now really stands the hairs up on the back of my neck. It would really be a dream. Being able to play at Twickenham in front of a home crowd with my family there in a World Cup, it doesn't get much bigger than that. So there really is everything to play for and train for because it's the ultimate goal. I've just got to keep going and try my best.
"For me, it's just taking one day at a time. There's a long, long way (to go). Obviously in the back of my head I'm desperately thinking about 'am I going to make the 31?' but I've got to push that away and just focus really hard on doing the best I can in every session. I think if I was to get into that final squad it would be my best achievement so far in rugby, but I think we're all desperate to get involved."
England will kick off the tournament when they face Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
Barney Corkhill
