Gloucester and England lock Dave Attwood says they cannot afford to take Premiership new boys Exeter lightly at Sandy Park on Saturday.

The Cherry and Whites will hoping to replicate their success of the opening day of last season when they beat their other local rivals Bath.

"They're no mugs and they certainly won't be underestimated on our part," Attwood told BBC Points West.

"We're going to have to bring out our A-game if we're going to get a result."

Attwood continued: "There's a little bit of the unknown and a danger of complacency thinking they're new to the Premiership and it's going to take some adjusting.

"But Leeds showed last year even if you're favourites to go down you can still turn a result so it's important for us to put some markers down and get on the front foot."

Internationally that's the big target for me to get involved in the Autumn Internationals and get my first cap. Dave Attwood

The 23-year-old had an impressive season for Gloucester in his first year at the club culminating in being picked for England's summer tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Attwood is now part of England's Elite Player Squad for their matches in November against New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Samoa following his impressive performances down under.

"It was a bit of an unseen to be fair," he said.

"I was hoping to get some England Saxons action maybe but the summer tour and EPS selection was not something that ever occurred to me.

"Internationally that's the big target for me to get involved in the Autumn Internationals and get my first cap.

"But I'm very well aware that's not going to happen if things aren't going well here at Gloucester."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version