Charlie Atkinson (rugby union)

{{short description|England international rugby union footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

|name = Charlie Atkinson

|image =

|caption =

|birth_name = Charles Joseph Atkinson

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2001|10|6}}

|birth_place = Oxford, England

|height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|order=flip|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|88|kg|stlb lb}}

|relatives =

|school = Abingdon School

| currentclub = Gloucester Rugby

| position = Fly-half

| years1 = 2020–2022

| clubs1 = Wasps

| apps1 = 40

| points1 = 52

| years2 = 2022–2023

| clubs2 = Leicester Tigers

| apps2 = 24

| points2 = 69

| years3 = 2023–

| clubs3 = Gloucester

| apps3 = 21

| points3 = 35

| clubupdate = 28 February 2025

| repyears1 = 2019

| repteam1 = England U18

| repcaps1 = 3

| reppoints1 = 5

| repyears2 = 2021

| repteam2 = England U20

| repcaps2 = 4

| reppoints2 = 0

| repyears3 = 2024–

| repteam3 = England A

| repcaps3 = 3

| reppoints3 = 8

| repupdate = 23 February 2025

}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Charlie Atkinson - ItsRugby |url=https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/charlie-atkinson-43568.html |access-date=25 January 2021 |website=itsrugby}}

Early life and education

Atkinson's father played rugby for Tynedale RFC, Northumberland and had England Under-18 trials.{{cite news |url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/ranked-will-greenwood-picks-his-four-replacements-for-ford-and-farrell/|title=RANKED: Will Greenwood picks his four replacements for Ford and Farrell|first=Steven|last=Smith|website=Ruck|date=5 March 2021|access-date=7 October 2022}}

Atkinson first played rugby at Oxford RFC, aged five.{{cite web|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/england/mens-development/u20s-squad/charlie-atkinson|title=RFU profile|work=England Rugby|access-date=25 January 2021}} He was educated at Abingdon School from 2013 until 2020 and played in the first XV rugby team.{{cite web|url=https://www.abingdon.org.uk/abingdonian-archive/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/01/2019_V026_N002.pdf#page=25|title=Rugby report|publisher=The Abingdonian}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abingdon.org.uk/rugby-podcast-with-charlie-atkinson/|title=Rugby Podcast with Charlie Atkinson|date=18 May 2020|publisher=Abingdonian School}} Atkinson played twice for England U-18.

Rugby playing career

In 2020 Atkinson signed for Wasps on a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.abingdon.org.uk/wasps-rugby-signing/|title=Wasps Rugby signing|website=Abingdon School|date=13 May 2020|access-date=26 January 2021}}

He is known for beating defenders, try scoring, and also for physical commitment in defence.{{cite news |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-rugby-charlie-atkinson-19541970|title='I used the word stupid with him' - cautionary words given to Wasps sensation Charlie Atkinson|first=Bobby|last=Bridge|website=Coventry Telegraph|date=30 December 2020|access-date=30 December 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/i-had-to-have-a-word-with-him-and-i-used-the-word-stupid-atkinson-blackett-premiership-wasps/|title='I had to have a word with him and I used the word stupid'|first=Liam|last=Heagney|website=Rugby Pass|date=30 December 2020|access-date=30 December 2020}}

On 1 January 2021 Atkinson was selected for the England Under-20 Squad{{cite web|url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/charlie-atkinson-named-in-england-u20-2021-elite-player-squad/|title=Charlie Atkinson named in England U20 2021 Elite Player Squad|website=Official Wasps Rugby website|date=1 January 2021|access-date=26 January 2021}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.abingdon.org.uk/oa-selected-for-england/|title=OA selected for England|website=Abingdon School|date=26 January 2021|access-date=26 January 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55814151|title=Sam Underhill: Bath flanker withdraws from England's Six Nations squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2021|access-date=26 January 2021}} Later that year he was a member of the junior squad that completed a grand slam during the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2021/07/12/england-under-20s-name-team-for-grand-slam-decider/|title=England Under-20s name team for grand slam decider|publisher=Premiership Rugby|date=12 July 2021|access-date=7 October 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57823692|title=England Under-20s 27-17 Italy Under-20s: England win Grand Slam in Cardiff|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2021|access-date=7 October 2022}} In June 2022 Atkinson was called up by coach Eddie Jones to join a training camp with the senior England squad.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61703039|title=England: Injured prop Kyle Sinckler to miss Australia tour|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 June 2022|access-date=6 June 2022}}

Following Wasps administration in October 2022, Atkinson signed a long-term contract with Leicester Tigers on 31 October 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63459992|work=BBC Sport|title=Charlie Atkinson: Leicester Tigers sign former Wasps fly-half on 'long-term deal'|date=31 October 2022|access-date=31 October 2022}} He made his debut as a replacement in Tigers' 1 point defeat away to Bath on 11 November 2022. After 24 appearances for Leicester, Atkinson moved to Gloucester on Christmas Eve 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67815699|title=Charlie Atkinson: Gloucester sign Leicester Tigers fly-half with immediate effect|work=BBC Sport|date=24 December 2023|access-date=24 December 2023}} He made his Gloucester debut on 28 January 2024, scoring a try in the 32–20 victory over Sale Sharks.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68069086 |title=Premiership: Gloucester 32-20 Sale Sharks - Cherry and Whites earn first league win since October |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=22 January 2025 }}

In February 2024 Atkinson started for England A scoring four points in a victory over Portugal.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68398976|title=England A 91-5 Portugal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 February 2024|access-date=21 March 2024}} In January 2025, Atkinson signed a new contract extension with Gloucester.{{cite news|url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/were-building-something-special-here-9867429 |title='We're building something special here' - Charlie Atkinson re-signs with Gloucester Rugby |publisher=Gloucestershire Live |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=22 January 2025 }}