The 26-year-old second row from Lamphey, near Pembroke, crossed the Severn Bridge from the Scarlets at the beginning of this season having previously spent his entire career with the west Wales region.
The big tackling lock had to bide his time with the Scarlets, coming through the ranks in the academy and spending time being farmed out to Carmarthen Quins and Llanelli before getting a chance to stake his claim with the big boys.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Scarlets and I certainly had lots of ups and downs,” reflected the 6ft 6in, 18st 2lb powerhouse.
“It wasn’t until Nigel [Davies] got there that they showed any faith in me – I played over 100 games in the end – Nig threw me in at 21 / 22-years of age and he stuck with me. It was a massive learning curve to play with guys like Simon Easterby, Regan King and Stephen Jones and to have someone like Vernon Cooper mentoring me was brilliant.”
After making his debut for the Welsh region in 2006/07, Day went on to make 105 appearances before being lured to Bath by Sir Ian McGeechan. However when the coaching guru left the Rec in a reshuffle at the English club, Day was left wondering whether he had made the right move.
“It was a difficult pre-season for me this year. Having changed clubs it was a bit of an awkward situation as the coaches who actually signed me had left the club by the time I arrived. I felt like I really had to impress on and off the field just to be in with a chance of playing but I feel things have gone really well. Gary Gold seems happy with the way things are going – I just want to really get stuck in and start over again.”
Day has yet to taste defeat with Bath, starting two of the three pre-season friendlies while beginning the Aviva Premiership campaign in the boilerhouse alongside club captain Stuart Hooper in the opening two games against Worcester and London Wasps.
“Spirits are really high at the moment at the club,” added Day. “We’ve changed the game plan a bit, and Gary Gold has installed a lot of confidence in the boys. We claimed three wins from three pre-season games and won our opening two games in the Premiership, so the boys are confident at the moment.”
Day is battling with England’s Dave Attwood, Ireland’s Ryan Caldwell and Hooper for a starting berth. But his lineout prowess along with his bone crunching tackling have already ensured his Bath career has got off to a flying start.
“The fact that there are so many quality players in my position here, it is hopefully going to push me week in week out. When I came to Bath to be honest I don’t think anyone knew me when I signed. That made it a little harder but that is what I wanted as it was a fresh start and a chance to prove myself again.
“I left the Scarlets because I wanted to improve as a player. No disrespect to the Celtic League but the Aviva Premiership is known as tough league, especially up front. Its’ not just the pretty stuff running and throwing the ball around, but stuff like rucking, driving lineouts and scrummaging.
“It’s only going to improve me as a player. Especially coming to a club like Bath which is an amazing place – you’re not signing up just for the club, it’s the whole lifestyle and history attached to the club. I’ve no regrets coming here and looking forward to the season ahead.”
