Seb Atkinson (born 21 May 2002) is an English rugby union player for Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby.
| Birth name | Seb Atkinson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 21 May 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Bromsgrove, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 91 kg (14 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Bromsgrove School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Atkinson is a graduate of the Luctonians club in Herefordshire. He joined the Senior Academy at Sixways in the summer of 2020 having captained Warriors to third place in the 2019-20 Premiership Rugby Under-18s Academy League.
Atkinson was due to captain England Under-18s at the end of the 2019/20 season but their programme was cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.[1][2] He was included in England squad for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship in Cardiff but was not used in any of their five matches in a Grand Slam-winning campaign. He was named in England Under-20s EPS squad for 2022.[3][4]
Atkinson joined Stourbridge on a dual registration in October 2021. He made his senior debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup win over Gloucester at Sixways Stadium in December 2021 and his Gallagher Premiership debut as a replacement against Sale Sharks in February 2022.[5][6]
Due to the club entering administration, all Warriors players had their contracts terminated on 5 October 2022.[7] On 17 October 2022, Atkinson signed for local rivals Gloucester ahead of the 2022–23 season, following his Worcester exit.[8]
Atkinson made his Cherry & White debut in a 38–31 victory against Bristol Bears in the Premiership Rugby Cup, scoring a brilliant solo try in the process.[9] With a number of notable performances in the Premiership Rugby Cup, Atkinson has since become regular component of the Cherry & White midfield this season, with many appearances to his name across all competitions. At the end of the season, Atkinson was voted as young player of the season by fans.[10]
On 30 March 2023, Atkinson signed a new deal to stay at Kingsholm, thus promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2023–24 season.[11]
References edit
- ^ "England Men U18s Squad For February Development Camp". England Rugby. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Young Guns: Worcester Warriors centre Seb Atkinson". The Rugby Paper. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "England U20 Men's 2021 Elite Player Squad Announced". England Rugby. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "England Men's U20 2022 Elite Player Squad Announced". England Rugby. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Worcester 27 - 21 Gloucester". Sky Sports. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Match Centre: Sale Sharks 36-12 Worcester Warriors". Talking Rugby Union. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Worcester player and staff contracts terminated after high court ruling". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ "Alex Hearle, Seb Atkinson and Finn Theobald-Thomas join Gloucester after Worcester Warriors exit". BBC Sport. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester 38-31 Bristol". Sky Sports. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Player of the season award winners unveiled". Gloucester Rugby. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Seb Atkinson: Gloucester centre extends contract at Kingsholm". BBC Sport. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.