BATH RUGBY: Donald eyeing another cup (From Wiltshire Times)

BATH RUGBY: Donald eyeing another cup

6:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Owen Houlihan

LIFTING the LV= Cup may bear little comparison with the Webb Ellis Cup, but New Zealander Stephen Donald admits the Anglo-Welsh competition has become a key focus in his first season with Bath.

Last Saturday’s 46-14 victory over Northampton – the third time Donald’s side have achieved that total in three LV= Cup games this season – left the Recreation Ground side on the brink of qualification for the semi finals.

It was Donald’s first taste of the tournament since his arrival after New Zealand’s World Cup win last autumn, but the ex-Waikato man, 29, told the Wiltshire Times: “At the start of the season, it was probably not the one we were focused on.

“But the way it’s panned out, we have put ourselves in a good position now.’’

Bath conclude their pool match on Sunday (5pm) at Exeter, who also have designs on a last-four place.

Donald added: “They are still in the mix and we’ll both be seeing the match as an opportunity.

“Our attitude has got to be about putting in a platform so we can move up the table when we get back to the Premiership games.’’

Bath have signed Wasps’ England squad hooker Rob Webber, 25, on a three-year contract.

Full-back Nick Abendanon has also committed to the club for a further three years, as has Academy fly-half Tom Heathcote, 19, while prop Kane Palma-Newport, 21 has signed a new two-year deal at the Rec.