TOM Dunn insists Bath Rugby have no excuses when it comes to game preparation this season due to the world-class facilities available at the club’s training base, Farleigh House.

Dunn, 25, signed a contract extension with Bath last year to remain at the club until 2022 – meaning he would have been under contract at The Rec for 10 years once his current deal expires.

The Bath-born hooker, who was part of Eddie Jones’ England Six Nations in January, appeared 18 times for the Premiership club last season – making 247 tackles and scoring two tries.

Speaking at the club’s training base ahead of the new season, Dunn admitted the club’s ambition to attract silverware remains high – despite not landing any major trophies for 10 years.

Dunn said: “If you go to any club at Premiership level, they are all desperate for silverware.

“The ambition this club has is second to none, we’re all buying into that mentality.

“The quality of the pitches at the moment are outstanding.

“We’ve had such a long dry spell, but the grass on our pitch is still incredibly green.

“We haven’t got any excuses when it comes to preparing for games, and we have the confidence under foot to train at the intensity we want to.”

The off-season has seen director of rugby Todd Blackadder make a number of key changes, including the star arrival of Welsh international Jamie Roberts.

Roberts’ arrival is a clear signal of intent by Blackadder, who made no secret of his ambitions to be placed highly in the Premiership come the end of the regular season.

Despite a frustrating campaign last season, Dunn insists the transitions made during the off-season have been ‘seamless’.

He said: “I have to actually try and remember who the new guys are cause we’ve all settled quickly.

“I haven’t been training a massive amount, but having coffees and lunches with the team has helped develop that working relationship quickly.

“I was 18 when I joined the club, so I’ve been here a long time.

“It’s funny how being a local lad allows you to go in circles.

“The people you meet at the start come back around after you lose touch with them. Because you’re in the same environment people always pop up, and that helps to build relationships which allows the circle to grow.

“I’m very pleased where I am at the moment.

“Signing a new contract was a mutual thing. Both parties came together and agreed a deal. I like being here, and I hope Bath Rugby like having me here.

“It was an easy decision to extend my contract and I hope it’s a good one.”