Charlie Atkinson (rugby union) explained

Charlie Atkinson
Birth Name:Charles Joseph Atkinson
Birth Date:2001 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Oxford, England
Height:1.83order=flipNaNorder=flip
Weight:88kg (194lb)
School:Abingdon School
Currentclub:Gloucester Rugby
Position:Fly-half
Years1:2020–2022
Clubs1:Wasps
Apps1:39
Points1:52
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Leicester Tigers
Apps2:24
Points2:59
Years3:2023–
Clubs3:Gloucester
Apps3:0
Points3:0
Clubupdate:19 December 2023
Repyears1:2019
Repteam1:England U18
Repcaps1:3
Reppoints1:5
Repyears2:2021
Repteam2:England U20
Repcaps2:4
Reppoints2:0
Repyears3:2024–
Repteam3:England A
Repcaps3:1
Reppoints3:4
Repupdate:23 February 2024

Charles Joseph Atkinson (born 6 October 2001) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Gallagher Premiership club Gloucester Rugby.[1]

Early life and education

Atkinson's father played rugby for Tynedale RFC, Northumberland and had England Under-18 trials.[2]

Atkinson first played rugby at Oxford RFC, aged five.[3] He was educated at Abingdon School from 2013 until 2020 and played in the first XV rugby team.[4] [5] Atkinson played twice for England U-18.[3]

Rugby playing career

In 2020 Atkinson signed for Wasps on a three-year contract.[6] He is known for beating defenders, try scoring, and also for physical commitment in defence.[7] [8]

On 1 January 2021 Atkinson was selected for the England Under-20 Squad[9] and on 26 January 2021 it was announced that he would be part of the shadow squad for England during the 2021 Six Nations Championship.[10] [11] Later that year he was a member of the junior squad that completed a grand slam during the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[12] [13] In June 2022 Atkinson was called up by coach Eddie Jones to join a training camp with the senior England squad.[14]

Following Wasps administration in October 2022, Atkinson signed a "long term" contract with Leicester Tigers on 31 October 2022.[15] He made his debut as a replacement in Tigers 1 point defeat away to Bath on 11 November 2022. After 24 appearances for Leicester, on Christmas Eve 2023 Atkinson moved to Gloucester.[16]

In February 2024 Atkinson started for England A scoring four points in a victory over Portugal.[17]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charlie Atkinson - ItsRugby . 25 January 2021 . itsrugby.
  2. News: RANKED: Will Greenwood picks his four replacements for Ford and Farrell. Steven. Smith. Ruck. 5 March 2021. 7 October 2022.
  3. Web site: RFU profile. England Rugby. 25 January 2021.
  4. Web site: Rugby report. The Abingdonian.
  5. Web site: Rugby Podcast with Charlie Atkinson. 18 May 2020. Abingdonian School.
  6. Web site: Wasps Rugby signing. Abingdon School. 13 May 2020. 26 January 2021.
  7. News: 'I used the word stupid with him' - cautionary words given to Wasps sensation Charlie Atkinson. Bobby. Bridge. Coventry Telegraph. 30 December 2020. 30 December 2020.
  8. News: 'I had to have a word with him and I used the word stupid'. Liam. Heagney. Rugby Pass. 30 December 2020. 30 December 2020.
  9. Web site: Charlie Atkinson named in England U20 2021 Elite Player Squad. Official Wasps Rugby website. 1 January 2021. 26 January 2021.
  10. Web site: OA selected for England. Abingdon School. 26 January 2021. 26 January 2021.
  11. News: Sam Underhill: Bath flanker withdraws from England's Six Nations squad. BBC Sport. 26 January 2021. 26 January 2021.
  12. News: England Under-20s name team for grand slam decider. Premiership Rugby. 12 July 2021. 7 October 2022.
  13. News: England Under-20s 27-17 Italy Under-20s: England win Grand Slam in Cardiff. BBC Sport. 13 July 2021. 7 October 2022.
  14. News: England: Injured prop Kyle Sinckler to miss Australia tour. BBC Sport. 6 June 2022. 6 June 2022.
  15. News: Charlie Atkinson: Leicester Tigers sign former Wasps fly-half on 'long-term deal'. BBC Sport. 31 October 2022. 31 October 2022.
  16. News: Charlie Atkinson: Gloucester sign Leicester Tigers fly-half with immediate effect. BBC Sport. 24 December 2023. 24 December 2023.
  17. News: England A 91-5 Portugal. BBC Sport. 25 February 2024. 21 March 2024.