Tom Dunn has spent his whole career with Bath and surpassed 200 club appearances at the end of last year
Bath hooker Tom Dunn says the “fear” of never winning a trophy during his career is driving him on this season.
The 31-year-old has spent his entire professional career with Bath having come through their academy.
The Wiltshire-born forward surpassed 200 games for the club last year and was their top try-scorer last season with 12.
“The most exciting thing for me is winning something,” Dunn told BBC Radio Somerset.
“I have this fear now that I’m going to be remembered as someone who played all these games and never won and that’s massively driving me.
“When I look back at my childhood looking at the greats, they all won something – Europe, Premiership, Pilkington Cup – that won’t be the case for me unless you count the A League.
“I don’t want to be clutching at straws hanging on to that.”
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Bath are currently third in the Premiership having not finished in the top four since the 2019-20 campaign when they reached the semi-finals. They last reached the Premiership final in 2014-15 when they were beaten by Saracens and have not won the title since 1995-96.
They play neighbours Bristol on Saturday at Ashton Gate before the league pauses until after the Six Nations.
They are also through to the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup for the first time since 2015, where they will face Exeter away in April.
“If you look at the points difference, we’ve improved massively from last year,” Dunn said.
“For me, that’s so exciting. It’s so touchable, it’s so achievable.”
Bath are announcing a string of player contract extensions, with England prop Will Stuart and wing Will Muir, who has also been called up to the national squad for the first time, having both agreed new terms this week.
Dunn, who signed a new deal last year, said the squad stability will help them build the foundations for success.
“I committed to the club last year and it’s really reassuring when you see others join you, come on the journey with you,” Dunn said.
“If you look at all the successful teams recently like Exeter, Saracens, they’ve been together for like 10 years. Some of those boys, even the coaching staff, have been together a long time and I think if we can build something special like that here I’m so excited to be part of it.”