Gary Gold: Bath boss wants 'attacking' style for new season

Bath director of rugby Gary Gold says fans can expect an attacking brand of rugby from his side this season.

The West Country outfit finished seventh in the Premiership last term and had the second-best defensive record in the league, behind Saracens.

But Gold, now in his second season at the Rec, says their focus will now be on their forward performance.

"Last year we wanted to look at our basics, to lay a foundation," he told BBC Points West.

"We want to play an exciting brand of attacking rugby and add a couple more strings to our bow.

"We've got a calibre of player now who can play that way. Now along the way we may make mistakes but that's ok. In fact, it's probably the best way to learn.

"We're putting ourselves under pressure internally and we want to put on the type of rugby people want to watch."

Gold has brought in 11 new players over the summer - including London Irish duo Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph, who will help to form a back line with rugby league convert Kyle Eastmond.

Both Joseph and Eastmond featured for England in their summer tour of Argentina and Joseph is looking forward to continuing their centre partnership at Bath.

"We're not the biggest partnership but we both like to play with ball in hand, in a bit of space, and if things go right I think it can be very exciting," said the 22-year-old.

"We've got players all around us who have attributes. George Ford [fly-half] is a great little player with lots of skill.

"I'm really looking forward to the season ahead."