This has been a trying and try-less season for Iain Balshaw, who vividly remembers the last time he touched down for Bath. It was almost a year ago in the Zurich Championship semi-final play-off against Wasps at Loftus Road, towards the end of what had been a memorable season for the rangy full-back, in which he took the Six Nations by storm and was an automatic choice for the Lions tour to Australia.

But the victory over Wasps marked the peak for Balshaw and Bath, as they have both had a steady downhill slide since then. Balshaw played in the three Tests against the Wallabies for the Lions, but only as a replacement having lost out at full-back to his club-mate Matt Perry. He held on to his England place for the first international of the season against Ireland last autumn, the hang-over game from last year's Six Nations, but was dropped after another grand slam slipped away. He has spent the six months since flitting from full-back to wing to centre, and this month he has been moved to fly-half by his club, who find themselves immersed in an unfamiliar battle against relegation. Indeed, Bath face arguably the most important match in their history this afternoon when Leeds, one of two clubs locked on 28 points with Bath at the bottom of the Premiership, visit the Recreation Ground.

After five successive league defeats, the scruffiest of victories would suit a side that not so long ago inspired fear. But it is fear that consumes the west country club today, and it is reflected in their play. "This season has been different to the last one, to say the least," said Balshaw. "A bad year has followed a pretty good one and while it has not been pleasant to experience, it has made me look at myself and all aspects of my game, which is not where it should be. It is nearly 12 months since I scored a try for Bath and while it says something about the way we have played this season, struggling after losing a number of players last summer and beset by injuries, it also reflects on me because I stopped playing naturally."

There were some who accused Balshaw of lacking maturity on the Lions tour, reckoning that he was the agent of his own downfall by not properly coming to terms with the demands of what was a hard two months at the end of a gruelling season. When he returned home, he was reported as saying that he had not been treated fairly by the management, but reflecting on the experience this week he offered a more thoughtful explanation for what had gone wrong.

"The Lions played a totally different game to England tactically," he said. "To be a world-class player you have to be able to adapt and I did not, simple as that. Things did not go for me, but you have to pick yourself up and carry on. I love playing under Clive Woodward because his style, which is based on fast and open play, suits me. I have missed being in the side, but Clive has kept talking to me and offering encouragement.

"It was frustrating not to start a Six Nations game and see the guys playing the rugby I thrive on, with Jason Robinson outstanding at full-back. I hope to go on tour with England in the summer, and next season will be a fresh start. It is hard to explain why things can change so radically from one year to the next: Bath scored more points than any other side in the league last season, but now we would settle for a couple of victories by a penalty."

There are many in the English game who believe that if Bath were relegated it would mean the loss of a major draw card, and ways are being looked at to keep them in the top flight should they finish bottom. A number of Premiership owners advocate ring-fencing, but Balshaw maintains that if Bath finish last they should go down. "It would be desperate if we were relegated, but I believe there should be one up and one down. It puts you under pressure to perform and it gives First Division clubs something to aim for. The last few months have been character-building for us and, if we do survive, I am sure we will challenge at the right end of the table next season."

Balshaw played the final 20 minutes of their last home match against Northampton at fly-half and he played the whole game there at London Irish last Wednesday, dropping two goals. His coach Michael Foley believes he can become another Stephen Larkham, the Australian who made a successful switch to stand-off from full-back. "I am happy to play anywhere," said Balshaw. "But full-back is the position I prefer because I get the chance to utilise my pace there."

The Blackburn-born Balshaw is a naturally talented sportsman who excelled at tennis and cricket before becoming a professional rugby player. When he plays naturally, as he did last season, he is irrepressible. When Woodward selected him against Wales in the opening match of the 2001 Six Nations, the Wales coach Graham Henry hoped Balshaw would prove vulnerable in defence, while the former Scotland captain Finlay Calder said: "If Balshaw is an international full-back, I am Mel Gibson." Five tries in four matches followed.

"I wish more clubs would play like England," said Balshaw, though there is not much chance of that at Bath in the next three weeks with league points so precious. "I never thought we would be in this position and Leeds is a massive game for us." Balshaw is 23 tomorrow, and looking for a happy return to winning and try-scoring ways.

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