Bees lock Danny Wright is aiming to keep his new side in the Championship while propelling himself back into the Premiership.

The former England Under-20 second row last week signed a deal that will keep him at Damson Park until the end of the season.

Having been deprived of a first appearance by the postponement of last weekend’s home match with Cornish Pirates, the Gloucester-born forward will now make his debut in Saturday’s vital clash at Plymouth Albion.

Victory is essential if Bees are to haul themselves off the bottom of the table and reach their pre-season goal of a top-eight finish.

And Wright, who spent two years in the Kingsholm academy before joining Parisian aristos Stade Francais in the summer, has set his sights on helping Russell Earnshaw’s men do just that – even if it means winning six or seven of their last nine matches.

“I want to knuckle down with Bees, make an impact and show what I have learned in France,” the 20-year-old said,

“I know the Championship is a hard league but I want to offer something to Bees and keep them in the league

“I am going to aim to play back in the Premiership next year and I will give it my all.

“If I have to spend next season in the Championship too, that’s fine as well though because it’s a good place to develop your game.”

Either outcome would be acceptable to Bees providing they are in the second tier too and if he is to be a big part of that process the former schoolboy county discus champion will have to take the place of either Semisi Taulava or Adrian Griffiths.

Before he injured his shoulder Taulava had been the find of the season, while Griffiths has shown himself to be a superb athlete in open field. Ross Noonan is also nearing fitness.

But Bees need a ruck-blowing second row, comfortable in the tight, traits Wright cannot have failed to improve with Stade.

However, his failure to settle in France has forced him to return to his roots from where he hopes to relaunch his burgeoning career – while helping Bees out as well.