Having joined a squad with such a strong second-row
contingent, Dominic Day would probably have expected to play a supporting role upon arriving at Bath Rugby last summer.
The 27-year-old switched from Scarlets knowing Stuart Hooper, Dave Attwood and Ryan Caldwell were already established powerhouses in Bath's pack.
But with other locks on the sidelines as early as pre-season, Day has grabbed his chance with both hands to become a linchpin amongst Bath's front five.
"I'm playing a lot of rugby but the club looks after us and there is a great team here in terms of physios and doctors," said Day, who is likely to start his fifth game in succession during tomorrow's derby against Gloucester.
"I've got a good partnership with Dave going and there have been a couple of injuries, with Hoops and Calders out at the moment.
"It's tough for them and it's also tough in terms of playing a lot of rugby but I'm really enjoying it. I've been involved in most of the league games and I've enjoyed every second of it.
"It's different to playing in the Pro 12. The rugby is tough week in, week out but I really want to stay involved and keep my place."
Although still in his first season at the club, the fierceness of Bath's rivalry with the Cherry and Whites is not lost on Day.
The Welshman helped end Gloucester's derby-day dominance with victory in the LV= Cup at Kingsholm last month and knows breaking that hoodoo in the league is now paramount.
"It's a big rivalry and you feel it, not just at the club but around the town as well," said Day.
"I live in the town and you get people coming up to you saying it's a big game for Bath," said Day.
"There's that extra edge in training and the coaches want that bit more as well. It's a really big occasion.
"It will be a different kettle of fish this week as they'll have a few players back. They'll be hurting from the defeat because we felt we really did a number on them.
"It will have been tough for them to take and they'll be coming down here looking to get revenge.
"I think they've won the last two years here in the league and it's sort of a cup final in terms of how our Premiership season will go."
"We really need a win to move up the table and keep in touch with the top four. It's not just big in that it's a derby game, it's big in terms of what we can do in the league as well."
