“I had to quit Irish to stay in the picture with England” – Jonathan Joseph

Jonathan Joseph believes any hopes he had of cementing his England spot were on a hiding to nothing as long as he stayed at London Irish.
The 22-year-old Bath centre was dropped by Stuart Lancaster to the England Saxons in last month's EPS announcement, despite starting both Tests against Argentina this summer.
Brian Smith has been vocal in his criticism of those who left the Madejski over the summer, saying Marland Yarde is proof his players can forge an England career.
But Joseph disagrees, insisting his demotion is symptomatic of the Exiles struggles last season.
He said: “I was disappointed to be dropped to the Saxons but I understand the reasons. Considering how last season went for Irish I didn't really get the chance to prove myself with my club form.
“Hopefully the move to Bath will benefit my rugby because it was disappointing to not stay in the EPS but I was just not there last season.
“I want to get back in that squad, though, and if I start my season well I hope I can get back into the swing of things. I've spoken to [England head coach] Stuart Lancaster and we both were saying the same thing really. Now I'm at a strong club I've got an opportunity so I need to take it.
“It's been a good pre-season and I haven't found settling in all that difficult. The boys have been great and it's such a good set-up that it's been made pretty easy for me.
“It's important to have a good start to the season, of course, every team's wants that, but for us with new faces we want to gel quickly.”
Joseph has six England caps but finds himself behind British & Irish Lions Manu Tuilagi, Billy Twelvetrees and Brad Barritt as well as new clubmate Kyle Eastmond in the England pecking order.
Eastmond, especially, caught the eye in South America this summer and the pair teamed up in the centre for the second Test in Buenos Aires as well as in Bath's season opener against Newcastle on Friday night.
All may not be lost for Joseph, however. Of the four EPS centres, Tuilagi is the only recognised 13 and he played at 12 for most of his Lions outings.
But while a return to the England fold is high on Joseph's agenda, first the former Exile knows he faces a battle to make the first team at the Rec in a backline that includes George Ford, Gavin Henson and Matt Banahan.
“Consistency is the goal now for me, playing well week-in and week-out for your club and anything that comes after that is great but all I can is focus on that,” he added.
“There's so much competition for places in the backline here, the whole squad is so deep and that is great.
“You want everyone knowing that they have to be at their best or they will not be in the team.
“Having Kyle in the centres as well, from an attacking point of view he is just fantastic. His ability to create space for people around him is second to none so I'm excited about being outside him this season.
“But then you've got guys like George Ford as well, there is so much talent that I can't wait to get involved.”
And Joseph does not have to look far to find familiar faces in his new surroundings.
This summer Matt Garvey, David Sisi and Anthony Watson all made the move from Irish to Bath where they will link up with former Exiles coaches Toby Booth and Neal Hatley.
“It's great to be back with Toby and Neal as well, I started my career with both of them,” added Joseph.
“They have had a massive influence on my rugby and have helped me to get where I am and, hopefully, will help me to keep improving.
“It's about time Bath were back in the Heineken Cup so that has to be goal for us this season.
“Gary Gold and Toby and the coaching team did a great job last season in their first year at the club and we want to prove to the rest of the clubs that we're ready.
“I just want to show the fans what I'm about, how I like to play the game and hopefully that will blend with how Bath want to play.
“Quite a few of my mates have come with me from London Irish and I was friendly with a few of the boys before I arrived.”
CHARLIE TALBOT-SMITH