Attwood 'in it to win it'

Powerhouse lock Dave Attwood has warned Bath's Aviva Premiership rivals that the club are 'in it to win it' this year.

Powerhouse lock Dave Attwood has warned Bath's Aviva Premiership rivals that the club are 'in it to win it' this year. Bath agonisingly missed out on the Aviva Premiership play-offs last season - however they have recruited wisely in the summer as they look to bounce back, with Attwood one of a number of key arrivals. Stephen Donald, Francois Louw, Dan Hipkiss and Carl Fearns are among those that have also agreed to move to the Rec, with wildcard recruit Kyle Eastmond is set to cross codes at the end of the Super League season. Former British and Irish Lions supremo Sir Ian McGeechan will also be in sole charge following the end-of-season departure of Steve Meehan. And Attwood, who has made the move from west country rivals Gloucester, insists domestic glory is Bath's goal this season. "Bath want to be Premiership champions at the end of the season," Attwood told skysports.com.

Fantastic

"It is the only realistic way to approach the season as no one wants to be supporting a team aiming for mid-table. "We've got some fantastic players, some really great individual talents, we have a tremendous coaching team and we have got the facilities so everything is in place. "We are not just here to make up the numbers, we are out to win." Bath will be without England internationals Lewis Moody, Matt Banahan, David Wilson for the opening six league games due to their World Cup commitments, while fly-half Donald will arrive from Waikato at the end of the ITM Cup. However Attwood insists Bath will not be using the opening exchanges of the campaign to blood their younger players - with the club determined to get the new season off to a rapid start. "We've got to be realistic as you don't want to be putting out a second team in Premiership games as you will come unstuck," he said. "We would take six wins from these six games and we will do everything we can to get them. It is a significant chunk of the season and these games can stand you in good stead for when the other players come in.

Momentum

"We can look to our internationals and new players to add momentum to our challenge. "It is important to keep momentum. If you want to be up at the top of the Premiership in April you have got to do the groundwork now." While others may be missing, Attwood is set to be available for selection from the start of the season after making a speedy recovery from injury. The physical second row saw his World Cup hopes dashed after he injured his knee playing for the Saxons in the Churchill Cup. However the 24-year-old is pleased to be back in action ahead of schedule. "The knee is in great nick and is feeling good while the pelvis has settled down, so I was able to get some game time against my old club Bristol in pre-season," he added. "I've made good progress. With osteitis pubis you have to manage progress almost on a daily basis but we made a breakthrough when we identified a ligament as being an issue. That has alleviated the symptoms and has meant I've made great progress since then."