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Ex-England lock Attwood calls time on his career

By Ian Cameron
Dave Attwood of England looks on during the RBS Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium on February 14, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Former England lock Dave Attwood has called time on his career at the age of 36.

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The hulking lock has represented England, Bath, Bristol Bears, Toulon, Gloucester and Dings Crusaders in National League rugby.

“I have loved every minute of being a rugby player,” Attwood said. “At times, it’s been hard. This job is so taxing on you both physically and mentally. But it’s also given me so much. It’s been fun and full of joy and friendships. Physically pushing yourself along with your teammates to find how far you are able to go. I’ve built bonds and bridges that will last a lifetime.

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“It’s been hard on my family. I look at my children, Jess and Patrick, who are my biggest fans, and I think about how my mum and dad have watched me get battered every week for almost 20 years… but they supported me and helped me every day. I’ll never be able to thank them enough.

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“A club is a funny thing. From the owner, to the kitman, to the hospitality staff and media department through to the Academy players. So many important relationships and so many important people. I have been absolutely privileged to have worked with some of the absolute best, across all departments, through some truly great clubs.

“I will always be thought of as a Bath player; 175 appearances for a club leaves an imprint on you. I’m grateful to the incredible Bath supporters who welcomed me and ran with me every step of the way. But mostly I’m thankful to the club, some of the most genuine and incredible players and coaches and off field staff who have shared the last decade or so with me. They gave me the opportunity to live my dream every day and it’s down to them that I have been able to do so.”

Attwood began his professional rugby career with Bristol at the start of the 2005/06 season, making his debut against Bath in the Powergen Cup. He was later capped by England Under-19s in the 2006 Junior World Cup, followed by England U20s and England Saxons in the next two seasons.

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After switching to Gloucester, he earned his first full international Test cap against New Zealand, which marked the beginning of a successful career with England that culminated in a 2016 victory against South Africa.

Attwood joined Bath in 2011 and by 2014/15 was a mainstay in the team that reached the Premiership final. He later returned to Bath after a successful second spell at Bristol, and helped the team win a Challenge Cup title during the difficult Covid period.

“Dave’s longevity in the game deserves to be heralded,” Bath Head of Rugby Johann van Graan.

“An England international and a great rugby ambassador, he has given so much to the sport, particularly Bath Rugby, over 18 years.

“He epitomises what it is to be a rugby player through his leadership, application and desire to work hard every day, and with how he performed against Bristol Bears on the opening day of the season, I knew he would be an integral part of our group for the year ahead.

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“Dave’s attitude towards offering advice to our younger players has been invaluable and he will go down in history as not only a Bath legend, but one of Premiership Rugby’s greats.”

He now plans to swim the English Channel for Aspire.

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Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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