The prevailing mentality among Eddie Jones' England squad is to topple the All Blacks and replace New Zealand as the number one team in world rugby, according to Henry Slade.
Despite the fact that England will not face Steve Hansen's side until next year, utility back Slade is adamant being at the top remains their goal, as they prepare for autumn internationals against Argentina, Australia and Samoa.
"Although we focus every week on the game on the weekend, there is always that overriding goal about being the best in the world, beating New Zealand," Slade told ESPN as Canterbury, the official England partner, launched their new kit. "We are always talking about that and it is always burning in the back of your mind, but we are also focusing week to week."
England have beaten the All Blacks just three times in the last 20 meetings and Slade -- who starts for England against Argentina -- says it is as much a mental battle as it is physical when it comes to New Zealand.
"Many teams are mentally beaten before they get on the field against them," Slade said. "Talking about mentalities, it is such an important part of the game. You go in there with the belief in your squad. We would have that now from having done so well in the last couple of years, we would have massive belief going into that game. Mentality goes a long way to winning."
With the All Blacks having lost just three of their last 30 international games, knocking off the world's best team is no small feat. But after Ireland put an end to their 18-match winning streak last autumn, and Australia having won in Brisbane last month, England back-row Nathan Hughes feels that unbeatable aura is being eroded.
"I think because they (NZ) have that mindset that winning is like a natural mindset to them," Hughes said. "No team was testing them but now you can see different teams are coming out and putting on a good show. They are beatable.
"Australia beat them two weeks ago and Barbarians yesterday put on a good show. It is just how you plan that week when you play against them to go out there and watching them individually and what they contribute to the team. If you have a good week, they're beatable.
"Everyone wants to play against England, wants to beat England and for us it is how we are going to overcome that pressure. We've got to look at ourselves individually first and if you can overcome that pressure individually, collectively you will come out on top."
"There is pressure in every game," Slade added. "There is pressure every time you put on the shirt and play for England. A lot of people watching, everyone expects you to do well. I think over the last couple of years, this team has shown we are good under pressure.
"We have consistently performed. If we keep going as we are, keep improving, the environment in the squad every day in training you can only get better. If we keep going forward as we are going, I feel confident, we will be good to go by the time of the World Cup comes around."