By one metric, at least, Seb Atkinson has a claim to be the fittest man in rugby union. The so-called “Bronco” test is the scourge of many a player across the levels, a gruelling test of physical readiness over five sets of shuttles over 60m, 40m and 20m that burns both lungs and legs. Until last year, the professional record was thought to have been jointly held by All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Cam Roigard – but Gloucester centre Atkinson went four seconds quicker.
“I did it in four minutes and eight seconds,” the 23-year-old confirms to The Independent with a quiet sense of accomplishment and assurance that will serve him well as he makes his Six Nations debut against Italy this weekend. “It’s a bit of an unregulated test, so it’s very unofficial.”
Atkinson may demur at any kind of grand tag over his physical fitness but that sort of hard-running has always come relatively naturally. “Growing up, I did a lot of cross-country and a few triathlons,” he explains. “I’ve always enjoyed that side of things. From U13s to U18s I was a relatively small player; I grew in size quite late. So I had to find other ways to impact the game. So, for me, that was with work-rate, and the coaches I’ve had along the way have always rewarded that.
“Rugby is a very physical sport not just in the collision but with work off the ball. Steve [Borthwick]’s obviously valuing that at the moment and hopefully I can continue to use that as a unique point.”
Borthwick has handed Atkinson the starting No 12 shirt as part of an all-changed backline as England look to get their Six Nations campaign back on track after dramatic derailments against Scotland and Ireland. If not for injury, the Gloucester midfielder might have already had an all the more central part in this campaign after a breakthrough tour of Argentina last July, in which he started both games. Atkinson had been expected to reprise his role at inside centre in the autumn before a nasty knee and hip issue arrived with ill timing just before Borthwick’s squad assembled, enabling Fraser Dingwall to nail down the No 12 jersey.
“I really enjoyed my year, culminating in Argentina,” Atkinson reflects, speaking as part of England’s partnership with nutritional supplement AG1. “Getting my cap and having my parents there was an unbelievable feeling. It felt like the reward for all of the hard work I’d put in not just that year but through the first four or five years of my career.
“I really wanted to make the most of what I achieved out there by coming back and really nailing down my spot – but I got injured at the wrong time. That’s our sport, unfortunately. I tried to stay as level-headed as I could and focus on my training, build on being a bit more powerful and some skills whilst I was injured. It was very frustrating, but you’ve got to look long term.”
There is sense that Borthwick is doing exactly that with his selection in Rome. A bold backline features Atkinson alongside Tommy Freeman in an untried centre combination that nonetheless offers huge upside. If other midfield options fit more neatly into certain archetypes, Atkinson prides myself on being more of an all-rounder.
“I’ve never really had someone growing up where I wanted to be exactly like them,” he explains. “My mantra has always been to try and not have any weaknesses. You have your super-strengths that you’ll be confident in, but I’ve tried to be as balanced as I can.
“That’s probably where I fit in the squad at the moment. You’ve got guys maybe being more ball-players or facilitators, and others that are a bit more physical and dynamic, but I like to think that I’ve found a good balance and can do a bit of everything depending on the situation or the opposition.”
Atkinson recognises, though, that part of the job for he and Freeman will be winning gainline against an excellent Italy midfield. “You’ve got to have the balance between skill and then just brute force at times,” he says. That has meant a physical transformation. “I went away one summer holidays at school and came back about four inches taller and five kilograms heavier, so that definitely helped.
“It’s been a consistent thing in the four or five years since coming out of school. How hard can I push myself in the gym? And how can my nutrition and fuelling back that up? My playing weight is probably about 97kg now. I came into the professional rugby environment at about 77kg. I think it is a good marker in terms of long-term gain, but it definitely wasn’t an overnight thing.”
Those gains have come despite a disrupted start to life as a professional rugby player. Atkinson had been due to captain England U18s in 2020 before their campaign was cancelled due to Covid; two years later, what looked likely to be a breakthrough season for Worcester was halted prematurely by the club’s demise. It caused Atkinson to think deeply about the future before Gloucester came calling.
“I had a difficult time at Worcester with them going under. You take a step back from it and think: ‘Why am I doing this? What do I want to achieve?’ Taking that step back at that point was a massive moment in my career without me really realising it.
“I’d been sat on my sofa for about three weeks hoping something would happen, thinking it was now or never, and then I got the Gloucester opportunity. Once I got the call, I knew not to take it for granted. I knew that being an academy player at any Prem club isn’t a conveyor belt. You have to fight really hard and once you get those opportunities, that’s not the end of it, you have to keep taking them.”
In a neat twist of fate, Atkinson will pull on the No 12 shirt outside of Fin Smith, just as he did in his final game for Worcester in 2022. The pair were age-grade allies born just 10 days apart, a connection that will help given the considerable upheaval. And Atkinson is desperate to seize this chance.
“Any time you get a chance to put on the England shirt is special, but there is something about the Six Nations, isn’t there? The brutality in between the teams, how much everyone cares about it. It’s a great tournament and I’m very lucky to be as close as I am. Hopefully I’ll take the opportunity now it has come.”
AG1 is the Official Daily Nutrition Supplement Partner to England Rugby Men’s and Women’s teams. AG1 provides support and guidance through nutritional education and wellness leadership across the England Rugby ecosystem, from the grassroots game to the England Men’s and Red Roses teams, starting with the Guinness Six Nations.