Dave Attwood

Dave Attwood (born 5 April 1987 in Bristol, England) is a rugby union player who plays at Lock for Bristol Bears in the Aviva Premiership. He has been described as a "big traditional tight-head lock, a master of the set piece, indeed arguably the best scrummaging second row in the country".[2]

For other people named David Attwood, see David Attwood (disambiguation).

Dave Attwood
Birth nameDavid Attwood
Date of birth (1987-04-05) 5 April 1987
Place of birthBristol, England
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight119 kg (18 st 10 lb; 262 lb)[1]
SchoolThe Ridings High School
UniversityUniversity of Bristol
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Bristol Bears
Youth career
Dings Crusaders
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2009
2009–2011
2011–2019
2018
2019–		 Bristol
Gloucester
Bath
→ Toulon
Bristol Bears		 20
47
117
8
0		 (0)
(15)
(40)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 25 January 2015
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007
2010–
2010–2018		 England U20
England Saxons
England		 5
2
24		 (0)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 12 November 2016

Education and early career

Attwood attended The Ridings High School in Bristol. He graduated from Bristol University with a joint Honours degree in Physics and Philosophy with the support[3] of the Bristol Rugby Academy before moving on to the First Team squad. His rugby heroes include Alex Brown, Will Greenwood and coach and personal friend Phil Cue, his then coach at Bristol Minis and Juniors and Dings Crusaders. In 2007 aged 20, he was described as "the thinking man's Martin Johnson" (rugby union).[4] He was England under 16 discus champion[5] and still enjoys throwing although he complains that "he never finds the time."

Club career

Attwood spent two years (2007-2009) with the Bristol Rugby first team squad. The 2008–09 season saw him feature more regularly in the first team, playing in the Anglo-Welsh Cup as well as the European Challenge Cup. He joined Gloucester in the summer of 2009. In February 2011, it was announced that he had agreed a two-year deal with Bath Rugby, from the beginning of the 2011–12 season.

In February 2019, it was announced that Attwood would be rejoining Bristol Bears at the start of the 2019–2020 season on a two-year deal[6]

International career

Attwood represented England under 19s in the 2006 Junior World Cup, scoring against New Zealand in the semi final.[7] He played for the England under 20 team in 2007.[8]

He was called into the England Saxons squad to face Italy A on 9 February 2008, although he did not play in the match. He made his playing debut for the England Saxons against Ireland Wolfhounds in January 2010.[9]

Attwood was called up to the senior England national rugby union team for the 2010 Summer tour to Australia. He played two games with the second-string squad against the Australian Barbarians, but was cited at the end of the first game for stamping. This was dismissed on technicalities before being reviewed.[10]

Attwood made his senior England debut as a replacement for Tom Palmer in the game against New Zealand national rugby union team on 7 November 2010. He made his third appearance for England against Argentina national rugby union team on 8 June 2013 in a 32–3 victory for England. He captained England Saxons to a 2–0 series win away to South Africa A in 2016.[11]

As at January 2017, Attwood had been awarded 24 England caps.[12]

Interests

Attwood funds a performance sports scholarship at the University of Bristol called the Dave Attwood Rugby Scholarship Scheme.[13]

He has "donated and raised tens of thousands of pounds for research into degenerative brain disease" through his continued support for the School of Clinical Sciences at Bristol University.[14][15]

As of 2020 Attwood was studying a graduate diploma in law, with a view to pursuing law as a career after retiring from playing rugby.[16]

Personal life

Attwood married university girlfriend Bridget Whelan in 2015 and they have 2 children.[17][18]

References
  1. "Dave Attwood Profile RFU - England". Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. "Bath lock Dave Attwood hoping his strengths return to fashion as he tries to move with the times". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  3. "The Education Guide for Talented Young Rugby Players" (PDF). England RFU. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  4. Aylwin, Michael (20 October 2007). "What to do now - how a fresh start might look for England". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  5. "Dave Attwood Profile RFU - England". Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47124838
  7. "England Under 19s beaten in World semis". Rugby Football Union. 17 April 2006. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  8. "Wales U20 21–21 England U20". BBC. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  9. "Saxons edge out Ireland 'A'". ESPN Scrum. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  10. "Attwood cleared on a technicality". PlanetRugby. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  11. "Attwood back in the England squad along with four Bath team-mates". Bath Chronicle. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  12. "David Michael J. Attwood". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  13. "Performance Sport" (PDF). bristol.ac.uk. University of Bristol. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  14. "Bath and England lock Dave Attwood steps up to lead the fight against brain injuries". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  15. Bristol, University of. "School of Clinical Sciences | School of Clinical Sciences | University of Bristol". bristol.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  16. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dave-attwood-goes-from-laying-down-law-to-a-career-at-the-bar-h6nsssccm
  17. https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/england-countries/could-it-have-been-all-over-for-dave-attwood-8256
  18. https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/dave-attwood-wanted-stay-bath-2716891
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