He was Bath Rugby's standout performer last season and one of the stars of England's Test series win in Argentina but Dave Attwood knows that he will start from scratch when the new term gets under way on Friday night.
The 26-year-old lock's dominant club form last term saw him force his way back into England reckoning two and a half years after winning his first two caps. Attwood excelled in the Red Rose pack as Stuart Lancaster's side triumphed 2-0 over the Pumas, earning him a place in the EPS squad upon the party's return to home soil.
After making his international debut in late 2010, a stamping ban and subsequent knee injury cost him a place in England's Six Nations and World Cup squads the following year. Now, Attwood is just grateful to be back involved amongst the game's elite.
"It's been a really good summer for off the back of a great season last year," said Attwood, who is preparing for his third season at The Rec.
"It was a fantastic opportunity to be back involved with the senior England group. The tour went really well and it culminated in my inclusion back in the EPS squad. It's great for the club and great for me to get a second bite of the cherry.
"The tour has resulted in a lot more inclusions in the senior squad and Saxons squad. It's quite exciting times for England and I have just managed to weasel along into that somehow."
British and Irish Lion Geoff Parling should slot straight into England's second row when the QBE Internationals come around in November and Attwood hopes he is the man to fill the spot alongside him in the engine room.
"I don't know what the dynamic is going to be as far as Stuart is concerned," said Attwood. "The feedback I've has is that they are after someone of my stature and my physicality.
"They are also concerned that, in terms of people running the second row, there's not a lot of depth there. They've got Geoff Parling, who does a wonderful job, but if he were to get injured then there is a hole there in terms of what they do.
"It's a great opportunity for me to step in and fill that space, promote myself and put myself into those kind of avenues.
Attwood's second row partner in Argentina, Joe Launchbury, has started each of England's last nine internationals, while Courtney Lawes is another option available to Lancaster.
The Bath ace knows he cannot rely on what he has done before but hopes that recapturing last season's form will stand him in good stead.
"I am not expecting to start or displace anyone yet, I am going to have to earn that," said Attwood. "While I had a great tour to Argentina there is only so much you can do when you are playing against a second or third strength team.
"I am under no illusions and don't expect that I am going to be in the mix straight away but I have certainly got an opportunity to be involved in some capacity.
"If I stand up and get myself counted, then come the latter part of the autumn series and the Six Nations, there should be some opportunities for me to play."
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