Bath Rugby and England battering ram Matt Banahan has revealed he has lost a stone ahead of the new season.

Banahan, who popped up in the number 13 shirt in two of Bath's pre-season friendlies, wants to make himself into a more rounded outside back in order to assist his international ambitions.

At the behest of England team manager Martin Johnson and Bath head coach Steve Meehan, the 6ft 7in try-machine set about shedding a few pounds.

At the end of last season he was a shade over 19st. He is now a fraction over 18st.

But despite being leaner, Banahan says he is more powerful – and bench-pressing more than ever.

"After speaking to the coaches at England and here, it's never going to do you any harm to be fitter and healthier on that rugby pitch," he said.

"I've had a very good pre-season. I wanted to become leaner and more powerful, and I think I've shown I've become that by playing at 13 in a few of the pre-season games. I've had to be fitter and it's added an extra string to my bow.

"You always want to be the best you can be and with the World Cup only 12 or 13 months away, I've got to give it my best shot to be in that squad.

"I'm stronger and more powerful but now I've got to push on for the whole of the season. It's about advancing to the next level.

"Being able to play at 13 is an opportunity as it gives the team something new, whether it's me pairing up in the centres with Olly [Barkley] or Shontayne [Hape]. There are a lot of variations we can have now. It's a long old season and it's about squad rotation.

"Playing in the World Cup is the long-term goal but there are a lot of steps to go through here at Bath, on the pitch and in the gym. I need to push myself to give myself the best opportunity."

Banahan will still be producing his direct, bulldozing runs but wants to bring more subtlety to his game too.

"I will still be doing those runs but being leaner I will hopefully move around the park more and create more space," he said. "I'm used to taking Route One but I enjoy space as well."

Banahan is bullish about Bath's prospects for the opening game of the season at Headingley on Sunday.

"Hopefully we can take off from where we left off last season," he added. "If we can put a good performance down that will hopefully help myself and other Bath boys push forward for a place in the England team.

"We haven't got any excuses. We've had a good pre-season and everybody's worked hard. It's about transferring that on to the pitch as a 15. We know that when we play rugby, teams struggle to stay with us."