Attwood on fast track to get back into Test frame
ALL-ACTION Bath lock Dave Attwood has revealed how he has turned to the athletics track in a bid to reclaim his England place.
Attwood, 29, has been undergoing extra-curricular sessions with the sprint trainers at Bath University since the start of the season, the benefits of which have manifested themselves in a series of outstanding displays.
Attwood, who featured against Wales in May but failed to make England’s 45man autumn squad, told
TRP: “I’m trying to be a lot more diligent about what I do on and off the field and sprint work is part of it.
“It’s something I’ve started doing this season off my own back and, although we do some sprint work at the club, if you’re going to make changes you have to take things into your own hands sometimes and that’s what I’ve done.
“You have to be careful not to do too much but the guys at Bath University agreed to work with me and it’s helped me make adjustments to the way I move – pushing the boundaries to keep improving my body and get better.
“It’s about the acceleration, efficiency and the mechanics of running, and although it’s only basic stuff by sprint standards, I’m making some marginal gains and it seems to be paying dividends so I’ll carry on doing it.”
Attwood, below, is behind George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes and younger clubmate Charlie Ewels in the England pecking order, but claims to have received encouragement from head coach Eddie Jones.
He said: “I’ve had a couple of good conversations with Eddie over the last month about where I stand, and the feedback was valuable.
“He didn’t need to ring and I wasn’t expecting a call, so it was nice that his aspirations for me pretty “However, the change was made and the new guys have been very enjoyable to be around and the summer break allowed us to reset. “Todd and Tabai haven’t come in and tried to change everything. Yes, they’ve tweaked things, but we haven’t re-written the text books. “We’ve got a very good squad and, after a poor season, we’re enjoying the rugby we’re playing. It’s been nice to contribute to that.” much matched with my own. I’d already started the sprint stuff, but he’s given me a few pointers and hopefully that will give me an opportunity to get back in.
“You’re always trying to change perceptions and I certainly haven’t lost my international ambitions.”
Under previous England managements Attwood received mixed messages about the need for bulk, to the detriment of performance.
However, he represented England Saxons with distinction in South Africa in June and has carried that form into this season.
Attwood said: “A big focus has been on myself, rather than trying to jump through hoops and achieve goals others were setting.
“I’ve set my own targets now and the games we’ve had so far have suited my style and given me plenty of involvements.
“Something I’ve been working on for a long time is the ability to have an influence, not just at set-piece but around the field.
“I’m around 119kg (18st 7lb) now – lighter than I was two or three years ago – and my mobility feels as good as it’s ever been.”
Bath lie third in the Premiership before next Sunday’s trip to Exeter, having thrived under new coaches Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson.
Attwood added: “I’ll be plain, I really liked Mike Ford. A lot of people angled to see if he was a problem but I thought he was a very good coach, technically excellent.