Tom Dunn is targeting completing a childhood dream this season as Bath Rugby look to go one step further than last term.

The Chippenham-born hooker was a fixture in the Bath team as they made it all the way to the Gallagher Premiership Final last season, falling against Northampton Saints.

With the season set to get underway next weekend, Dunn said that he has his sights set on getting back to Twickenham and getting the trophy in his hands.

He said: “I know we had a great year last year but we haven’t achieved anything yet and that is what we are here to do, we are here to win things.

“The first couple of weeks after the final you are recovering, looking to clear your mind and get all of your frustration out and then by the time you are back in three or four weeks later, you are itching to win it.

“You are itching to get better and to improve so you can have that feeling, we were so close to that feeling that we all crave and it is driving us on to more.

“We were so close to achieving my lifelong dream and we just fell short, so I have got that extra drive now and I think most of the squad are with me on that.”

Catch Tom and teammates, including Finn Russell and Ollie Lawrence at The Rec on Friday, September 20, with kick-off at 19:45.

Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss Bath Rugby's season opener at home against Northampton Saints.

Northampton is the first part of a tough start to the season and Dunn is keen for the team to show their title credentials straight away.

He said: “I am massively excited to have that straight away, it is a really good test for us because they were the best team in the league last year, so we can see where we are and how well we have been doing.

“Technically and tactically, I think we are ahead of where we were this time last year, we have been working really hard and doing everything we can to put ourselves in a good position.

“Every game is going to be tough but for us, it is about starting fresh because last year counts for nothing.

“It is all about the next five or six weeks, that is what is going to get us back there and we can’t lose sight of that.”