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Mark Atkinson (rugby union)

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For other people named Mark Atkinson, see Mark Atkinson.

Mark Atkinson
Birth nameMark James Atkinson
Date of birth (1990-03-08) 8 March 1990 (age 34)
Place of birthKnowsley, Merseyside, England
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight102 kg (16 st 1 lb; 225 lb)
SchoolSt Ambrose College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2010 Sale Sharks 2 (0)
2010–2011 Wasps 2 (3)
2011–2012 Esher 24 (42)
2012–2014 Bedford Blues 42 (61)
2014–2024 Gloucester 170 (140)
Correct as of 12 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 England U20 2 (0)
2019 Barbarians 1 (10)
2021 England 1 (0)
Correct as of 6 November 2021

Mark Atkinson (born 8 March 1990) is an English former rugby union player. A centre, he spent a decade with Gloucester and played once for England in 2021.

Career

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Atkinson attended Saint Ambrose College in Cheshire and earned a contract with the region's top club Sale Sharks in 2008.[1] He represented England under-20 in their 2010 Six Nations campaign.[2] He joined Wasps in 2010 however after they released him he signed for Esher RFC during the 2011–12 RFU Championship.[2] The following season saw him join Bedford Blues.[2][3]

In 2014 Atkinson returned to the Premiership with Gloucester Rugby.[4][5] His first season at the club saw them lift the EPCR Challenge Cup however he did not play due to injury.[6] He started the 2017 Challenge Cup final defeat to Stade Français at Murrayfield and the following year scored a try against Cardiff Blues as they lost consecutive European finals.[7][8] In 2019 Gloucester finished third in the league and were eliminated by champions Saracens at the semi-final stage.[9]

In June 2019 Atkinson scored two tries for the Barbarians in a friendly against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium.[10][11] In September 2021 he received his first call-up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones for a training camp.[12] Due to a last minute squad change, Atkinson made his Test debut off the bench against Tonga on 6 November 2021, earning his only cap for England.[13]

After a decade at Kingsholm, Atkinson was awarded a testimonial year with Gloucester Rugby Club which commenced in 2023.[14][15] He selected two charitable causes to raise funds for during this year: national cancer care charity Hope for Tomorrow and the 4ED campaign. Atkinson is an ambassador for Hope for Tomorrow.[16] The charity builds, owns and maintains a fleet of mobile cancer care units to support the delivery of NHS cancer treatment to patients in their community, including one operating in Gloucestershire, where the charity is also based.

In March 2024 after 170 appearances for the Cherry and Whites, Atkinson confirmed his retirement due to a long-term knee injury.[17] Post-retirement, Atkinson holds a Business Development role with Gloucester Rugby, as well as Gloucestershire-based technology consultancy Emerge Digital.[18]

Honours

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Gloucester

References

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  1. ^ "Ambrose star makes his mark". Messenger News Papers. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Godwin, Hugh (22 October 2021). "England new boy Mark Atkinson on Sonny Bill Williams comparisons: 'I'd take that, but I am not sure he would!'". The I. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Mark Atkinson ESPN profile". ESPN. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Mark Atkinson: Gloucester sign Bedford Blues centre". BBC Sport. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  5. ^ Mike Brown (18 August 2014). "Mark Atkinson eager for more after impressive second half". The Citizen. Local World. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b Evely, John (11 March 2024). "Gloucester Rugby star Mark Atkinson opens up on the highs and lows of his career as he confirms retirement". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b Mitchell, Brendon (12 May 2017). "European Challenge Cup final: Gloucester 17-25 Stade Francais". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b Pritchard, Dafydd (11 May 2018). "European Challenge Cup final: Cardiff Blues 31-30 Gloucester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  9. ^ Pilnick, Brent (25 May 2019). "Premiership semi-final: Saracens crush Gloucester 44-19 to reach fifth final in six years". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  10. ^ Gibbon, Tom (27 May 2019). "Mark Atkinson named in Barbarians squad to face England - but no place for Cipriani". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  11. ^ Meagher, Gerard (2 June 2019). "England XV 51-43 Barbarians". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  12. ^ Jones, Chris (21 September 2021). "Louis Lynagh called up by England - Billy & Mako Vunipola plus George Ford left out". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  13. ^ Grey, Becky (6 November 2021). "England 69-3 Tonga: Hosts make rampant start to Autumn Nations Series". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Mark Atkinson: Gloucester centre feels at his best after a year out with injury". BBC Sport. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Mark Atkinson Testimonial year". AK12. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Gloucester Rugby player becomes charity ambassador". Hope For Tomorrow. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Mark Atkinson: Gloucester centre retires because of long-term knee injury". BBC Sport. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  18. ^ https://emerge.digital/resources/emerge-digital-signs-gloucester-rugby-star-mark-atkinson-as-new-director/
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