DAVE Attwood admits it would be a fitting end to Nick Abendanon’s career with Bath Rugby if they can reach the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final.

Sunday’s 39-7 victory over Brive in the Amlin Challenge Cup helped ease their slight slump in form domestically which had seen Bath lose two of their last three Aviva Premiership games.

Nonetheless, Attwood and co are currently sitting pretty in fourth place and now in the semi-finals of the Amlin where they will face London Wasps.

And lock Attwood insists they are going to continue fighting on both fronts for 27-year-old full-back Abendanon – who leaves for Clermont Auvergne in the summer after nine years at The Rec.

“It would be great for someone like Nick, a stalwart at this club, if we could end the season on a high,” said Attwood, who returns to former club Gloucester in Saturday's Aviva Premiership derby at Kingsholm (3.15pm).

“It’s a great opportunity for us to show how much we appreciate his efforts over the years.

"He’ll be missed, there’s no doubt about that, he’s one of the standout players every week when he takes to the field.

“He never needs any motivation to get up for the challenge, he gives everything every time and puts his body on the line.

“We need to show we are capable of winning silverware, not just competing, and the win over Brive was good for everyone after a bit of a rough patch.

“We’re getting to that business end of the season now and we need to get back to winning ways if we want to get into the play-offs.

“Sale Sharks are playing well at the moment, but we can’t worry about them or anyone else, it’s about our own performances and results.

“It’s also a sign of how far we’ve come that we’re slightly disappointed to only be fourth at this stage, and in a semi-final of a European competition.”

While thoughts of Twickenham on May 31 and the Aviva Premiership final are definitely playing on the mind of Attwood, he is also excited about the prospect of tackling Wasps in Europe at the end of April.

And the 27-year-old believes it could be an advantage to take on fellow Aviva Premiership opposition.

“It’s a semi-final, it’s a big opportunity in a big competition and it’s a result which we can very much secure (against Wasps),” added Attwood.

“Silverware is a big driver for us, and we obviously know a bit about Wasps, more than we would about a French side so it’s good in that respect.”

Be part of the world’s biggest club rugby final. Buy your tickets for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on 31 May at Twickenham at http://www.premiershiprugby.com/final

MORE FROM ATTWOOD AHEAD OF HIS RETURN TO GLOUCESTER AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES