document: Disgraced Dave Attwood hopes England will still come calling after ban for stamping One boot in the face , a whole heap of consequences . Dave Attwood has spent the past four months pondering such matters . Given that he has got a degree in physics and philosophy from Bristol University he is well equipped to get his head around delicate issues . Attwood has had plenty on which to reflect , notably the fallout from a stamping incident in December against La Rochelle that led to a nine-week suspension . In its wake came demotion from the England senior squad , putting in jeopardy an international career that had barely begun . It had all looked so rosy : a summer tour to Australia last season , two caps from the bench in November and promise of things to come . And now ? The World Cup is a remote prospect , all the more so given that Attwood is struggling to even get a start with Gloucester . He has managed 86 minutes playing time since the New Year . On Saturday afternoon he again has to make do with a place on the bench against Newcastle . Attwood is a chastened man , acknowledging that a bad-boy reputation was starting to take shape . He was cited for stamping on tour to Australia only for the case to be dismissed on a technicality . `` It was reckless , petulant and daft , '' says Attwood , of the La Rochelle incident . `` It was a very unfortunate episode , one that has put a brake on everything . '' At the time , Attwood was not fully aware of what had happened , although the fact that `` a bunch of Frenchies spent the best part of an hour swinging punches told me that I 'd done something '' . He had . In the 15th minute of the Amlin Challenge Cup game against La Rochelle at Kingsholm , Attwood 's boot came down on the face of the opposition 's Romanian prop , Petrisor Toderasc . He had been tugged back by Toderasc and had struck out . Toderasc was taken to Gloucester Royal Infirmary that Sunday night but was released following treatment for broken teeth , cheekbone damage and cuts . Two days later reports from France suggested that Toderasc 's sight was in danger . `` That Tuesday night was a pretty dark time for me , '' Attwood says . `` It was quite horrifying to think that someone might lose their sight . I do n't play rugby to go out to hurt people . '' `` I 'm not a malicious bloke or a nasty player . I do n't want to be known as an enforcer . '' Toderasc had not been blinded but Attwood was cited and banned for nine weeks . In January he was left out of England 's Elite Player Squad . The punishment was salutary and far-reaching . `` It was completely my fault and I got what I deserved , '' Attwood says candidly . `` I 've borne the brunt of it . Nine weeks has turned into 16 weeks . Yes , I have learnt a lesson from it . I 've tarnished my reputation and I 've got to work hard to recover that . '' Attwood has come to realise that top-end rugby simply does not tolerate foul play . `` I was brought up playing rugby in Bristol , where you took your medicine , '' Attwood says . `` I always knew that you were n't allowed to do things but there would always be a ` but ' in my mind . There is n't any more . '' `` You simply ca n't take the law into your own hands . It 's been difficult to get to grips with that , to get that blueprint in your mind . I 'm more reflective now , more aware . You do have to turn the other cheek . `` I 've got to ensure that it does n't happen again . Of course in my position you 've got to be aggressive and not take a backward step . But the game at this level is about power , performance and physicality . That 's how you really leave your mark . That 's what being a hard man means . '' Attwood is an engaging character , articulate , honest , forthright and self-aware . He realises that his England prospects are bleak . `` It would be foolish not to admit that I 've significantly damaged my chances , '' he says . `` It will be nigh on impossible now to squeeze back in . I 'm resigned to that fact . England is not a realistic ambition at the moment . Doing all that I can for Gloucester is . '' And that will not be for much longer . Attwood , 24 on Tuesday , has signed for West Country rivals Bath for next season . He does not believe that his lack of starting opportunities for Gloucester is anything to do with the fact that he is moving on . `` I have n't been frozen out at all , more that Gloucester have had a great run of form , '' said Attwood , noting ruefully that his only start was in the 53-15 defeat by Harlequins last weekend . `` That was a humping . Time is running out here and I owe Gloucester a massive amount . Moving to Bath was a very difficult decision . But -LSB- Gloucester owner -RSB- Tom Walkinshaw 's passing in December put contract talks on hold . '' `` Bath came in with an incredibly attractive offer . I can understand talk about loyalty and all that but it was about providing for my future . '' England are still keeping a close eye on Attwood . He might yet get his chance in the Churchill Cup in June . They welcome the fact that he has got a bit of edge to him . `` There have been no conversations with England about changing my ways , '' Attwood says . `` I guess they feel I 'm bright enough to take it all on board . '' It has been a formative year in the life of Attwood , rising from relative obscurity to win England honours . In hindsight , that was the easy bit . As Attwood comes to terms with taxing realities , you fancy the philosophy element of his degree will prove useful . `` I 've got to show that I 've got the character to cope with all this , '' Attwood says . `` And that 's exactly what I intend to do . ''
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