BR: Are you looking forward to taking on the captaincy this weekend?

DA: It certainly wouldn't be my first time captaining the Club. The last time I started a game at captain was this time two years ago in the Premiership against London Irish [Bath won 33-18]. I lasted three minutes before going off with broken ribs, so hopefully I'll last a bit longer this time!

BR: Do you have any favourite memories from this famous derby fixture with Gloucester?

DA:I think a feisty encounter up at Kingsholm two years ago stands out. If I'm right, the game ended with 25 players on the field! These are some of the most exciting games in the fixture list for us players.

BR: Have you been impressed by any of the Bath youngsters at this stage of the season?

DA: Tom Ellis from our Academy has turned up in great shape this year. He has smashed pre-season and is looking like he could play a large role for us this season. He has a great partnership with Charlie Ewels.

BR: You were unfortunate not to make the final cut for England for this World Cup. Did you receive much support from people after that?

I had loads of support - strangely enough from a lot of the Bath supporters! It's tough when something like that happens, but it's the nature of the game. There were a lot of kind messages when it was announced. Now that I'm back here and playing, I'll have to show them why I think they were wrong!

BR: What are your impressions of the new boys, Jonathan Evans and Jeff Williams?

DA: Jonny and Jeff have slotted in pretty seamlessly. They are both good characters and have shown already that they don't want to come and just participate: they want to challenge and be in contention. That's great for us.

BR: Do you have any personal ambitions this season?

DA: I want silverware this year. Badly. I want us to win things and sit around a dented trophy at the end of season after some over exuberant celebrations feeling bad about how we dented the trophy.

Tickets for the West Country Challenge Cup match between Bath Rugby and Gloucester can be purchased here. Red Bull Uni 7s tickets (free) can be booked here.

Bath Rugby Natters with Atters

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