Bath Rugby lock Dave Attwood retired from professional rugby at the end of 2022/23 after an 18-year career that saw him amass over 350 senior appearances, which included 175 for Bath, and 24 caps for England. Retirement has seen him taking on roles as a Leadership and Communication Consultant at Farleigh Performance, as a public speaker and as a mobile events bar owner.
Q. How do you look back on your time as a rugby player?
I look back with pride, especially about the longevity of my career. Playing as a second row in rugby is very physically demanding – lots of heavy traffic and a great deal of physical load. I’m proud that I was able to perform at the top level for so long.
Q. When did you first start playing rugby?
I started when I was nine, after I moved to a rugby-playing primary school. A boy’s mum in my class was the coach of the local team, and that’s where it all started. I hoped rugby could become my career, but at 15, I thought I should go to university and get a ‘real job’. At university, I began playing men’s rugby and quickly found myself back in the England fold, with a professional contract at Bristol.
Q. What would you say is your proudest moment in rugby?
Two moments stand out for me. The first is my first cap for England at Twickenham against New Zealand in 2010. It was such a special moment for me and my parents. The second is playing in the Premiership final at Twickenham in 2015 with Bath. It wasn’t just about winning one game, but the whole campaign. To get to that final, with so many challenges along the way, and then to run out in front of 60,000 Bath fans – it was an extremely special moment.
Q. When did you realise it was time to retire from rugby?
For most players, it’s a physical decision. Your body just can’t keep up anymore. For me, it also became clear during my final season at Bath when I met some of the younger players who were born after I started my career. That really drove home the idea that it was time for me to step aside. I didn’t want to cling to rugby as a lifeline; I wanted to go out on a high and not risk tarnishing the pride I had in my career by staying too long.
Q. How did you adapt your rugby experience when you retired?
While I was still playing, I had some conversations with the team at Farleigh Performance, who specialise in organisational development. It became clear that many of the things I took for granted in rugby – skills like giving and receiving feedback, clear communication, and building strong relationships – were highly valued in business. I had a natural ability to understand team dynamics from my 20 years in professional rugby, which made it easier to transition into the business world.
Q. How do you compare playing rugby to being in business?
In business, ego tends to play a bigger role. Also, individuals often seem more disconnected from the overall goals of the company. In rugby, when you win, everyone shares in the success – it’s a collective celebration. But in business, if you close a deal or land a new client, it can feel anonymous, and you’re often disconnected from the company’s bigger success. The key is helping organisations collaborate and work toward a common goal, making them feel like they’re all pulling in the same direction.
Q. Can lessons around decision-making under pressure in rugby be adapted to the business world?
Yes, definitely. In rugby, decisions are immediate, physical, and have visible consequences. If you get something wrong, you can be trampled or hit directly. The stakes are high and mistakes are immediately obvious, so you learn quickly. In business, decisions are more subtle, and the consequences aren’t as immediate. But the ability to stay calm under pressure, to not stress about things you can’t control, and to make decisions with a clear head is something I’ve carried over. In rugby, the learning curve is steep; in business, we need to create situations where decision-making is more immediate, so people can learn faster.
Q. How have you bridged the gap from player to consultant?
I’ve done it in a couple of ways. One is by expanding my portfolio. Consultancy work in the business world is my main focus, but I also run a mobile bar and events company, Apéro, which keeps me connected to my rugby roots. I serve drinks down at the Rec and at the Bristol Bears most weeks at rugby games, and this keeps me grounded. In business consulting I use my rugby experiences to help organisations improve. I’ll often use rugby footage to discuss scenarios with teams, which keeps me connected to the sport in a meaningful way. It’s less of a reinvention and more of an evolution of who I am.
Q. Tell us about your Apéro mobile bar
I’ve always been frustrated at rugby games where you could only get beer or cider. I love the culture of rugby, where you can enjoy a drink, but I thought there should be more variety. After a trip to Italy, I had the idea of offering Aperol Spritz at games. At first, I lobbied the club to diversify their drinks, but then I thought, “Why not do it myself?”
I bought a horsebox, turned it into a bar, and started serving Aperol Spritz. To make it work for large crowds, I began mixing it in 20-litre kegs and serving it from taps, just like a regular bar. I can turn up, serve some drinks, make people smile and have a good time. I use authentic ingredients, and I think you can taste that, and that’s important to me. It’s been a lot of fun and a great way to connect with people at events, from weddings to corporate functions. The feedback has been fantastic!
Q. How do you feel about Bath Rugby’s current success?
I’m thrilled to see them doing well. Johann van Graan is an excellent director of rugby, and the club has made some smart recruitment choices. Bath has a strong blend of experienced players and homegrown talent, and they’re finally reaping the rewards of years of hard work.
I’m excited to see them succeed, and it’s fantastic to watch from the sidelines. I still stay involved with the club by hosting Q&A events for members and keeping in touch with players I’ve known for years, like Charlie Ewels, Ben Spencer and Tom Dunn.
Q. Has retirement given you a better work-life balance?
Absolutely. I now have the time to attend my kids’ school events – things like choir services and swimming galas – which would have been impossible when I was playing. I also have my weekends back, which means more family time. It’s been great to enjoy that freedom and flexibility. I can go on holiday without worrying about training or match schedules and I go to the gym when I want, not when I’m told.
Q. Are your children showing any interest in sports?
They’re not very interested at all, which is a bit devastating! My daughter is very artistic, and my son is into mechanics and building things. But I haven’t pushed them into sports – I wanted them to have the freedom to explore their own interests, without the pressure of following in my footsteps – and I’m very proud of their passions.
theaperobar.com; farleighperformance.com; bathrugby.com