Jonathan Joseph scoring a try at this year's Six Nations.© Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Jonathan Joseph is committed to continuing the fight for his starting spot in Stuart Lancaster's side following an already impressive year for club and country.

The 24-year-old, who had been on the fringe of the England set-up since the 2013 tour of Argentina, took advantage of the absences of Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi to make his claim for a permanent position in the side.

The Bath centre's breakthrough 2014-15 season included notching up four Six Nations tries whilst helping his club to the Premiership final, with both of these achievements complimenting his personal triumph of being voted England's player of the year at the Rugby Players' Association awards.

And although many are already tipping Joseph to take Tuilagi's place at outside-centre in England's opening World Cup game against Fiji, he still believes there is work to be done.

"It will hard to get that spot even without Manu.

"There are a number of good players in the centre positions in the squad and no one wants to miss out. Everyone is fighting hard for a place and it is going to be tough."

With Barritt now having returned from injury, along with Kyle Eastmond, Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell who also remain in the mix, Joseph's aware he has a fight on his hands to ensure his name is definitely in the final squad.

Along with this intense competition for places, England's new talisman is also using previous disappointments to spur his performances on.

"The upset of missing out on New Zealand tour drove me on in pre-season last year and I did not want to let the opportunity to get back into the reckoning in World Cup year get past me.

"My desire is as strong as it was a year ago when I was trying to get back into the squad. It is not hard to get focused and appreciate what a fortunate position I am in.

"I have to continue the momentum of last season: there will be no relaxing, sitting back and thinking how well I have done."