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South Wales Argus
03-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Seb Atkinson credits England call-up to 'freedom' at Gloucester
Seb Atkinson believes the 'freedom' he has been given by Gloucester's coaches this season has been key to his first senior England call-up. Atkinson has had a brilliant season for the Cherry & Whites and was one of 14 uncapped players in a recent training squad assembled by Steve Borthwick ahead of this summer's tour of Argentina and USA. The centre's stock has been rising for a while, having made his senior debut for Worcester in 2021, and he hopes to crown it with an international debut this summer. "You never expect a call-up, but I'm really proud," he said. 'Credit to the team and the coaching staff at Gloucester for what they've done this year. "They've given us the freedom and the exposure for me to play the way that I feel I play best, so cheers to them and hopefully I can keep moving forwards. "We had some dark times last year where people were frustrated, we weren't performing the way that we felt that we could, but credit to the coaches. "They gave us the opportunity to express ourselves and play freely. With the squad that we've got we've really taken that into our own hands this year and played some enjoyable rugby." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 The Bromsgrove native has taken the freedom and run with it, ranking top in carries, tackles, passes, and post-contact metres and second in total metres, line break assists, and try assists among Premiership centres this campaign. He also broke Beauden Barrett's 'bronco' test world record earlier this season, clocking in at four minutes and eight seconds. "I guess I can verify it," the centre said. "We did one during the Six Nations training block. I wasn't expecting that time at all. "Our training had been pushing us to a level where I was able to achieve that, but I still surprised myself by a good 20 seconds or so." The coming tour to the Americas, which is preceded by a clash with a France XV on June 21, could be Atkinson's springboard into a long and impressive international career if he transfers his domestic performance into an England shirt. Steve Borthwick knows how important these tours can be and has identified Argentina as an opportunity for players to put their hand up. "The example you'd use would be 2017,' he said. 'Players emerged in that series against Argentina and really staked their claim two years out from the World Cup and became really important, influential players for England at the 2019 World Cup. "I have no doubt there will be players who emerge and stake their claim this summer, and say 'I want to be part of that team in 2027'. I'm looking forward to that. The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement they bring is really, really impressive." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Guardian
03-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Seb Atkinson credits England call-up to 'freedom' at Gloucester
Seb Atkinson of England during a training session at Pennyhill Park on May 21, 2025 in Bagshot, England. (Image: Dan Mullan - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Seb Atkinson believes the 'freedom' he has been given by Gloucester's coaches this season has been key to his first senior England call-up. Atkinson has had a brilliant season for the Cherry & Whites and was one of 14 uncapped players in a recent training squad assembled by Steve Borthwick ahead of this summer's tour of Argentina and USA. The centre's stock has been rising for a while, having made his senior debut for Worcester in 2021, and he hopes to crown it with an international debut this summer. "You never expect a call-up, but I'm really proud," he said. 'Credit to the team and the coaching staff at Gloucester for what they've done this year. "They've given us the freedom and the exposure for me to play the way that I feel I play best, so cheers to them and hopefully I can keep moving forwards. "We had some dark times last year where people were frustrated, we weren't performing the way that we felt that we could, but credit to the coaches. "They gave us the opportunity to express ourselves and play freely. With the squad that we've got we've really taken that into our own hands this year and played some enjoyable rugby." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 The Bromsgrove native has taken the freedom and run with it, ranking top in carries, tackles, passes, and post-contact metres and second in total metres, line break assists, and try assists among Premiership centres this campaign. He also broke Beauden Barrett's 'bronco' test world record earlier this season, clocking in at four minutes and eight seconds. "I guess I can verify it," the centre said. "We did one during the Six Nations training block. I wasn't expecting that time at all. "Our training had been pushing us to a level where I was able to achieve that, but I still surprised myself by a good 20 seconds or so." The coming tour to the Americas, which is preceded by a clash with a France XV on June 21, could be Atkinson's springboard into a long and impressive international career if he transfers his domestic performance into an England shirt. Steve Borthwick knows how important these tours can be and has identified Argentina as an opportunity for players to put their hand up. "The example you'd use would be 2017,' he said. 'Players emerged in that series against Argentina and really staked their claim two years out from the World Cup and became really important, influential players for England at the 2019 World Cup. "I have no doubt there will be players who emerge and stake their claim this summer, and say 'I want to be part of that team in 2027'. I'm looking forward to that. The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement they bring is really, really impressive." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Isiekwe ready to be part of England's action-packed summer
The versatile 6ft7in forward had open heart surgery in 2022 after being diagnosed with a dilated aorta, a condition which could have ended his career at the age of 24. Remarkably, within a year he was back making a match-high number of tackles at Allianz Stadium as Saracens defeated Sale Sharks to lift the Premiership trophy and he has continued to deal with the challenges life has thrown at him. Isiekwe missed this year's Six Nations through injury but was back with the England set-up as part of a 33-man training squad, featuring 14 uncapped players, who assembled at Pennyhill Park this week as he sets his sights on being part of an action-packed summer. Steve Borthwick's side begin with a visit from a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21 before travelling to Argentina for two Tests and rounding off with a clash against USA in Washington DC. 'To be back in with England is brilliant, having missed the Six Nations,' he said. 'I bumped into Ben Curry at the start of this camp – we were on that '17 tour of Argentina together. 'It's quite nice to look back on. We were in that bracket back then of being young and I remember how much we had to take on in quite a short space of time. 'We've been around it for a little bit now so the shoe is on the other foot - but it gives everyone a new perspective and new energy.' Isiekwe was one of several youngsters selected for the trip to take on Los Pumas eight years ago, several of whom – including Ellis Genge, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Henry Slade – have gone on to become England stalwarts in the time since. If selected this time around, the 11-cap 27-year-old will travel equipped with a fresh sense of perspective and look to make the most of soaking up the culture in South America. 'The 2017 tour was interesting, it was a bit of an information overload,' he said. 'It was our first year out of school and there was quite a big contingent of us at that stage. I remember having to absorb so much in a short space of time. 'I was probably a bit of a house cat on that tour, I stayed in the hotel quite a bit, but I remember walking around Buenos Aires and seeing how different it was, in terms of infrastructure and what the country is like. 'You get that sense of a different culture and it's nice to see it from that perspective. The rugby culture is different and the place is really interesting as well.' Isiekwe has gained an insight into what to expect from his Saracens teammates Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti, with friendships to be put aside should they end up sharing the field this summer. 'I've spoken to them about it and I have given them a few words I won't repeat here!' he said. 'We have played with Juan and Lucio for two seasons and they are great players in their own right, we know what they bring, they have a lot of stardust. 'When you step on the field, it's business time, but afterwards hopefully they might give me some of their mate, or whatever they're drinking.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Theo Dan ready to play the tourist on England tour to America
The Saracens hooker, 24, hopes to add to his 17 England caps in Argentina and the USA in the coming months as Steve Borthwick's side head across the Atlantic. They are destinations and cultures Dan is keen to soak up on and off the field and he has been tapping up some of his teammates at StoneX Stadium for an inside track. 'It would be my first time in Argentina and I've never been to the USA either, so it would be an amazing experience,' he said. 'At Sarries, we have Juan (Martin) Gonzalez and Lucio (Cinti) and we've spoken about it a little bit over coffees, asking them what it's like and about the stadiums we'll be playing in. 'They've both played in both of them and said it's unbelievable. One of them is a football stadium in Buenos Aires (home of Estudiantes) and the atmosphere there is one I'm really excited to experience. 'You have to be sensible, of course, but I try to be a tourist where I can, especially when you're going somewhere you've not been before. 'Japan was incredible, Tokyo was one of the best places I've ever been. I loved it there, and being able to explore bits of New Zealand was amazing as well.' Dan was one of five Saracens players in a 33-man England training squad who spent two days together at Pennyhill Park to prepare for an international summer which begins with an uncapped clash against a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21. His fellow hooker Jamie George is set to keep him company in South America while Tobias Elliot, if selected for the final touring squad, could make his England debut after a standout season on the wing. 'Tobias has been outstanding for us this year,' Dan said. 'It might feel like he's broken through from out of nowhere but for us at the club it's no real surprise. 'He has been knocking on the door for the past year in training, he has trained and played really well for Ampthill and in the Prem Cup. 'It's no surprise he's transitioned seamlessly into the Premiership and I'm really excited for him. I hope he takes it with both hands and enjoys it as it's a really good opportunity and he deserves it. 'Jamie is a great guy and one of my really close friends, I feel very lucky to call him that. 'He has been a great mentor to me and also the younger guys coming into camp, he is such a great guy to have around. 'He's able to share invaluable knowledge and he makes everyone feel welcome. He's an incredible asset to have in camp and day-to-day around the club.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Theo Dan ready to play the tourist on England tour to America
They are destinations and cultures Dan is keen to soak up on and off the field and he has been tapping up some of his teammates at StoneX Stadium for an inside track. 'It would be my first time in Argentina and I've never been to the USA either, so it would be an amazing experience,' he said. 'At Sarries, we have Juan (Martin) Gonzalez and Lucio (Cinti) and we've spoken about it a little bit over coffees, asking them what it's like and about the stadiums we'll be playing in. 'They've both played in both of them and said it's unbelievable. One of them is a football stadium in Buenos Aires (home of Estudiantes) and the atmosphere there is one I'm really excited to experience. 'You have to be sensible, of course, but I try to be a tourist where I can, especially when you're going somewhere you've not been before. 'Japan was incredible, Tokyo was one of the best places I've ever been. I loved it there, and being able to explore bits of New Zealand was amazing as well.' Dan was one of five Saracens players in a 33-man England training squad who spent two days together at Pennyhill Park to prepare for an international summer which begins with an uncapped clash against a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21. His fellow hooker Jamie George is set to keep him company in South America while Tobias Elliot, if selected for the final touring squad, could make his England debut after a standout season on the wing. 'Tobias has been outstanding for us this year,' Dan said. 'It might feel like he's broken through from out of nowhere but for us at the club it's no real surprise. 'He has been knocking on the door for the past year in training, he has trained and played really well for Ampthill and in the Prem Cup. 'It's no surprise he's transitioned seamlessly into the Premiership and I'm really excited for him. I hope he takes it with both hands and enjoys it as it's a really good opportunity and he deserves it. 'Jamie is a great guy and one of my really close friends, I feel very lucky to call him that. 'He has been a great mentor to me and also the younger guys coming into camp, he is such a great guy to have around. 'He's able to share invaluable knowledge and he makes everyone feel welcome. He's an incredible asset to have in camp and day-to-day around the club.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
