DORCHESTER born England and Bath rugby star Orlando Bailey has set his sights on being recalled to the international set up in an exclusive interview with the Dorset Echo.
Bailey began playing rugby at six-years-old with Dorchester RFC before moving on to joining Bath Rugby's academy, making his professional debut for the Somerset side in 2020 against Worcester Warriors.
The fly half has made one appearance for England when he featured as a replacement against the Barbarians at Twickenham in 2020.
Speaking exclusively to the Echo, he said: "It's always been a dream as a rugby player growing up to play for your country, and it was cool to run out at Twickenham when Eddie Jones gave me the chance.
"I want more of that but it starts at club level and then being called up takes care of itself from there.
"So if I can help the club play well it will come."
There is plenty of competition for places in Steve Borthwick's side with world-class fly halves such as George Ford, Marcus Smith and Finn Smith, however, Bailey knows this part and parcel of playing at international level.
He added: "There is always good competition, they are really good players.
"All I can do is get better and I hope one day it is enough."
Now entering his fifth season for Bath, the 22-year-old is 'excited' to get the new season under way when Northampton Saints visit The Recreation Ground on Friday night - in a rematch of last season's Premiership final.
Bailey added: "I am very excited, obviously pre-season has been tough and you always have that first game in mind.
"And as a rematch of last year's final it will be a good spectacle at home on Friday night."
Having narrowly lost the final last season, Bailey is targeting another good campaign but knows the team can't rest on previous year's successes.
He said: "Last year was a good step going from eighth to joint top, but we are back to zero and we have to try and get off on the right foot.
"We have a good squad and we are working hard on those 1 per cent areas."
He added: "I have supported Bath all my life, growing up in Dorset I would watch all the games with my dad and brother.
"Johann van Graan (Bath's Head of Rugby) has done a really good job with recruiting and leading the club in the right direction.
"Of course their is competition from Finn (Russell) and if I can help out at 12 and 15 as well I will.
"It is going to be an exciting few years."
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