Seb Atkinson tells Sport and Life about “the exciting times” of getting an England deal, why his early experience with the Worcester Warriors going bust makes him extra grateful and how his supreme cardio fitness is key.
Watch a PREVIEW of the chat with Seb Atkinson below:
Watch or listen to the FULL CHAT with Seb Atkinson below:
A central contract for a star centre
I’d been messaging Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson for several weeks about recording a podcast conversation. But he’d been busy – something about playing for England in the inaugural Nations Championship!
Fortuitously though, when we did speak, it was a few hours after Atkinson had been included on England’s list of centrally contracted players for the first time.
“Very exciting times. It probably hasn’t sunk in yet,” Atkinson told Sport and Life.
“I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and reflecting on what’s already happened through my rugby, particularly in the last twelve months.”
Focussed on the here and now
Don’t imagine Atkinson, 24, spending hours picturing the coming season for Gloucester or England though. Perhaps a big part of his success is staying in the moment.
“I’ve learned in may career that can be a sort of downfall if you’re thinking too far ahead.
“I live my life one week at a time. I think my partner and my family probably don’t appreciate that mindset because I never get round to planning anything! But that does give me the focus I need.”
Past pain brings extra gratitude
Atkinson is clearly happy with his life and his rugby. And grateful for the opportunities he’s getting. That gratitude is heightened by his experience of his boyhood club, Worcester Warriors going to the wall four years ago.
“It was really tough. It was the old classic – sat on my sofa for a few weeks waiting for a phone call.
“And then the opportunity came at Gloucester. I remember watching one of the games on TV and someone got an injury and the pieces sort of aligned in front of me.”
Take your opportunities
As well as heightening his appreciation for being able to make a living playing rugby, that experience also impressed upon Atkinson the importance of showing up in the big moments.
“When you’re given the opportunity, particularly when you’ve come from a club that’s gone under, you see the real value of making it count.
“I turned up to Gloucester and knew I had to make an impact. I wasn’t trying to overdo it. But there was definitely that mental focus within me.”
Born to run
Thankfully Worcester Warriors have been resurrected. The club won the Champ final but due to the current ring fencing of The Prem will remain in the second tier.
Clearly people at Worcester can take credit for some of Atkinson’s skills. But you wonder how much of his secret weapon – supreme cardio fitness – is genetic?
It’s thought his time of four minutes and eight seconds in the fabled Bronco fitness test is the quickest achieved by a rugby player.
“Lots of rugby teams do it and people seem to think I’m the fastest. I guess it’s sprint endurance.
“I did a lot of cross countries when I was very young. I hate to say it, but I used to win all the races and I think that might be the nature side of things.
“Every time I pass the ball I’m trying to run support lines on a forty-five degree angle and with my fitness it gets me a bit closer to the ball maybe.”
