David Denton appears to have put his injury problems behind him and the Scotland back-rower claims he is finally feeling back to his best.
Having recovered from a concussion that ruled him out for two months in early 2015, Denton played a crucial part in Scotland’s successful Rugby World Cup campaign last autumn before a few niggles disrupted his momentum at club side Bath over the winter.
He returned to start his country’s first two games at the RBS 6 Nations earlier this year – defeats to England and Wales – but was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up just an hour before kick-off against Italy due to a groin injury.
That ruled him out of the rest of the Championship but he is fully fit once again and starred in Bath’s 32-26 victory over Sale Sharks last weekend.
The 26-year-old made 77 metres on 11 carries as well as completing two offloads but was most pleased with simply feeling like the David Denton of old once again.
“I felt awesome,” Denton told the Bath Chronicle. “For us it was great to get a win, obviously, but I feel like myself again.
“It’s been tough since I came down here [to Bath]. I came back from a long-term injury and I hadn’t played a lot of rugby when I arrived.
“It’s been nice to come back post-RBS 6 Nations and get a couple of runs off the bench after my groin injury then a start, and I felt good.
“I’m just happy to be able to do my bit for the team.”
Every one of Denton’s 11 Scotland appearances since the start of 2015 have come at No.8 yet he has been wearing No.6 for Bath in recent times.
And while that sort of versatility will stand him in good stead, he insists there is little difference between the positions – at Bath at least.
“The way Bath play, it doesn’t really make a difference whether you’re playing six or eight,” added Denton.
“We’ve got back-rowers on either side of the field and, as you saw, I spent a lot of time in the wider channels which is where I like to be. I really enjoyed it.”
