Atkinson and Gloucester lead Premiership after two bonus-point wins

Charlie Atkinson and Gloucester sit top of the Premiership table after opening their campaign with two bonus-point victories, the club reported on 8 October 2026.

Atkinson recalled his second Premiership appearance in September 2020, when the 18-year-old Wasps substitute was left unconscious after a high tackle by Owen Farrell during a match with Saracens at the Stonex pitch. "I mean, I met my hero," he says smilingly, and added: "It definitely put my name out there." The incident resulted in a red card, Farrell visiting Atkinson on the touchline and later in the dressing room, and Atkinson being sent home for a week with concussion and not playing again that season.

Three days after his 21st birthday Atkinson played in Wasps' final-ever match, a 40-36 defeat by Northampton, and within days the club announced staff redundancies after entering administration. "We'd seen a few rumours on Twitter that week but nothing major and we hadn't heard anything from the owner or CEO, so we just thought 'we'll be alright'," he said. "It was a wasn't even really in the back of my mind. That next Tuesday or Wednesday they broke the news that our jobs were gone. It was obviously very sad, it was the only club I ever knew."

Following Wasps' administration in October 2022 Gloucester and Harlequins approached Atkinson, but he accepted a longer deal at Leicester after a meeting with Steve Borthwick, who had just steered Leicester to the Premiership title. Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield left for England two months later, and under Dan McKellar Atkinson spent a difficult season at Welford Road, often on the fringes. He had just completed a house purchase in Leicester when his agent notified him that Gloucester had agreed terms to take him to Kingsholm.

Atkinson said he has settled at Gloucester. "I'm just forever grateful for Gloucester for coming in then because who knows where I could have ended up if I'd stayed at the Tigers," he said. "I love coming in here every day. There is a great, young core of guys, we made some great signings in the summer and everyone's mates with everyone. It's just a great feeling at the minute." Gloucester, who finished eighth last season, opened this campaign by beating Exeter and then beating Harlequins 48-0 at home, helped by new arrivals including Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake and Jean Kleyn.

Atkinson will return to Leicester on Friday night, and afterwards plans to meet former team-mates Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward. He has been involved in England camps since making his debut against the United States in July 2025 and remains on the fringe of the senior squad; his solitary cap came when he replaced a player for the final 18 minutes of a 40-5 win over the United States. "There are three main 10s at the minute in Fin Smith, George Ford and Marcus Smith, so it a very good level of competition," said Atkinson. "I'm just focusing on how much I can help Gloucester and how consistent and effective my performances can be. But obviously that's always going to be in the back of my mind, how I can get another cap or get back into a camp. But right now, it's all about continuing this momentum. There's a lot more for me to give here at Gloucester and right now is probably the best rugby that I've ever played."

As a child Atkinson played twice at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium for Oxford RFC as part of the half-time entertainment during the Premiership's London double header, with his father recording a try on shaky touchline footage. Gloucester's last play-off visit to Twickenham ended in a 44-16 defeat by Leicester in the 2007 Premiership final.

Gloucester travel to Leicester on Friday 9 October at 19:45 BST; live radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio Gloucestershire via BBC Sounds.