Saracens centre Brad Barritt is confident the England team are closer together than ever before, as they prepare to bid for glory at a home Rugby World Cup later this year.

Stuart Lancaster’s 50-man training squad for the autumn showpiece is in its third week of rigorous summer training, with everyone keen to impress and ensure they are on the final list of 31 players.

With 22 caps and an experienced head on his shoulders, Barritt will be confident of making that cut despite a plethora of talent to choose from in the centres.

And the 28-year-old, one of 11 Sarries players in the squad, insists that the extra-long preparation period will make the camp even more tight-knit than they would be for a normal Test series.

“Training’s been great so far,” said Barritt, who was speaking as part of the England Team at the official launch of the Canterbury England Rugby World Cup kit..

“It’s been really tough obviously but that is exactly what you expect at this point in the season.

“Everyone is putting their best foot forward and just trying to improve every day.

“This is the first time in a long time we’ve been together as a group for so long, so that experience of being together every day is very valuable.

“Usually you only get a one or two week period before a test, but now we have 11 or 12 and it’s fantastic to be able to prepare in such a way and get ourselves into the best possible condition.

“It is a great opportunity for this team to become tighter and closer, and strengthen the relationships and bonds we have within this team. Everyone has to fight for each other on the pitch.

“It’s fantastic to have so many Saracens guys here too, but right now it is about the squad as a whole and immersing Saracens, Bath, Northampton, Leicester and everyone else together and being one team.”

Barritt enjoyed an up-and-down season at Allianz Park, starting Saracens’ season strongly and performing well in England’s autumn international series – particularly in the 26-17 win over Australia.

An ankle injury may have ruled him out of England’s Six Nations campaign, but Barritt returned with style to help Saracens lift the Premiership Rugby trophy in May.

And while he admits it was hard to watch the likes of Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph shine in his absence for the Red Rose, Barritt is relishing being back in the squad and the chance to star in his maiden World Cup.

He added: “It was a fantastic end to the season for me. Obviously I was injured for the Six Nations, but to show that resilience, fight hard and come back to win the Premiership Final was great.

“I’m still flying high from that victory as it was a great way to cap off the season.

“And now to be back here with the England squad is fantastic. It is always a special moment to come into the England team, and having been involved for some time now, when you are away you truly miss it.

“It’s definitely the place I want to be, and the place that gives me a huge amount of pride and honour every time I come into the camp.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling too to think I have the chance to play in a World Cup, and especially a home World Cup – it’s a dream come true.

“Everything that has happened since Stuart took over has been geared towards this, and to finally be here is a very special feeling.”

Brad Barritt was appearing alongside his England team mates at the launch of the innovative England Rugby World Cup shirt #CommittedtoEngland. Visit Canterbury.com