It was only last June that he reported for preseason training at Hartpury having arrived in the close season from Championship side Bristol.
However, he hit the ground running and quickly established himself as the front jumper in a second row partnership with Alex Brown going on to make 16 Guinness Premiership and 6 Heineken Cup starts.
He was an England Saxons cap in the spring and confessed that he thought that the Saxons gave him his best shot at representative rugby this summer.
"It did come as a little bit of a shock. Having played for the Saxons earlier this year, I'd hoped that I'd be in with a shout of making the Churchill Cup squad. Then when England announced theyu were taking a bigger squad down under, a few people started to talk about me in terms of making the senior tour."
"But, if I'm honest, I hadn't really paid a great deal of attention to it as all I can do is keep playing well for Gloucester every weekend and, if England come knocking, then that's great."
University commitments had restricted Attwood to five first team starts in four seasons at Bristol so would he have believed anyone who predicted an England call up within the year when he arrived at Kingsholm.
"I'd have laughed in their faces! It's been a bit of a mad season really. It's gone really well and I suppose being involved with England is a reflection of that and I'm obviously delighted."
"I've played more rugby this year than since I was about 16! It's all been a bit crazy and, though you'd never wish for an injury, missing some time with my ankle knock actually turned out to be a good thing in hindsight as it helped me recharge my batteries a little bit."
"Looking at the games I played just before the injury and the ones I've played since returning, I seem to have a bit more energy and have played a bit more like I did in the early part of the season."
"It's a long old season, we started back in June last year, and it can take it out of you at times."
That said, he'll continue to keep busy over the next few weeks to keep in shape ahead of the tour.
"Basically, I'll be continuing to train to keep my fitness levels up. I don't know yet exactly when I'm linking up with England so I'll keep working with our fitness guys at Hartpury in the meantime along with the other international lads."
Throughout his career to date, Dave's family have been a regular presence at his appearances. Will they make it Down Under?
"I don't know yet. We haven't discussed that. I'll have a chat with my Dad to see how he's fixed but my Mum's a teacher so she'll have trouble getting time off."
"But my family have been incredibly supportive of me and I owe them a lot."
