HE may be plying his trade in the Greene King IPA Championship this season but Worcester Warriors’ Chris Pennell says his England dream remains very much alive.

Pennell was one of the success stories of last season in the Aviva Premiership, enjoying a memorable campaign despite Warriors’ relegation, before also winning his first international cap for England in New Zealand in the summer.

Many thought Pennell would move away from Sixways to keep his World Cup dream alive.

But the 27-year-old has remained loyal to Warriors, insisting he has unfinished business at the club.

The Championship is certain to be a fiercely contested division once again, with the likes of Worcester and big-spending Bristol set to battle it out for promotion back to the Premiership.

And Pennell is convinced he has made the right decision to stay at Warriors and is targeting big performances to ensure England boss Stuart Lancaster continues to take notice.

“After tasting some international rugby in the summer, I’ve come back even hungrier than I was previously to get back to that level again,” he said.

“The strength of this division is such that I don’t think it’s going to make any difference in catching Lancaster’s eye. Ultimately, it rests on me to keep performing but there are so many strong teams and players at this level that I will be tested.

“The top-end of the Championship is a very good standard and I know I just need to keep putting in the performances so those guys with England keep having a look at me.

“We started to make real improvements in our game from probably February onwards last season and that momentum has certainly continued and been carried with us throughout the summer.

“I know ultimately if we’re doing things right as a team it is going to benefit individuals and I want to be one of those guys.”

Being part of England’s Test team in New Zealand is a memory Pennell won’t forget in a hurry – training and playing alongside the country’s best players.

Formed in 2009, the Greene King IPA Championship is the second tier of professional rugby union in England. To keep up-to-date with all the latest news follow @ChampRugby on Twitter, or visit www.rfu.com/championship