Leicester Tigers fly-half George Ford has admitted that his decision to depart the club "was one of the toughest decisions" he has had to make.
The 19-year-old, who is expected to join Bath at the end of the season, is also hopeful that the move will put himself in the international picture with England.
"It is difficult when you are on the bench and you are coming on for 10 or 20 minutes each game. Playing a full 80 minutes is what I need to be doing really," Ford told reporters.
"Like any young player, you need to be playing and the more you play the better you get. For any young player who is willing to learn and progress in their career they need to be playing as much as they can.
"It was one of the toughest decisions I have had to make and I didn't take it lightly. Young players need to be playing to learn and develop. It is no different to any young player."
Ford has 11 caps for England Under-20s.
Matt Law
