Bath fans can breathe easy as club announce Dave Attwood won’t be signing for Toulon

Dave Attwood will not be making his loan move to Toulon permanent after parent club Bath stated their lock forward will be back at The Rec for the 2018-19 season.
The 31-year-old had been in talks with the French club following a successful stint on the Cote d’Azur as a medical joker, receiving a contract offer to unsettle his deal with Bath which runs until 2019.
But Attwood now stands to play in his seventh season for the Blue, Black and White after Toulon failed to reach Bath’s compensation fee.
A club statement confirmed: “Bath Rugby is delighted to welcome back Dave Attwood for the 2018/19 season.”
The news is a welcome development for director of rugby Todd Blackadder’s plans for his forward pack, as flankers Francois Louw and Sam Underhill both continue their path to full fitness following lengthy injury spells out.
Blackadder commented: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Dave back for pre-season training. He is a huge asset to the squad, and we’re really excited to have him back with us ready for the new season.
“There were discussions with Toulon, but we always wanted to bring him back to Bath. He showed during his short stint there his qualities as a player, but we also know what leadership qualities he brings on and off the field too.
“Supporters know that at his best there aren’t many better players in his position, and his return will be almost like a new signing for us. With the likes of Dave, Roko (Semesa Rokoduguni), Sam Underhill, Francois Louw all fit and raring to go, we go into the campaign in a great position.”
Attwood has made 136 appearances for Bath and is set to join his team-mates at Farleigh House for the club’s pre-season programme.
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