Chris Atkin

English professional rugby league footballer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christopher Atkin (born 7 February 1993) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half, hooker or loose forward for the Bradford Bulls in the Super League.

FullnameChristopher Atkin
Born (1993-02-07) 7 February 1993 (age 33)
Widnes, Cheshire, England
Height5 ft 8 in (1.72 m)
Weight12 st 13 lb (82 kg)
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Chris Atkin
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Atkin
Born (1993-02-07) 7 February 1993 (age 33)
Widnes, Cheshire, England
Height5 ft 8 in (1.72 m)
Weight12 st 13 lb (82 kg)
Playing information
PositionScrum-half, Hooker, Loose forward, Fullback, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2014–17 Swinton Lions 100 44 268 9 721
2017–19 Hull Kingston Rovers 66 15 5 5 75
2020–25 Salford Red Devils 110 17 4 1 77
2025–26 Castleford Tigers 19 1 10 0 24
2026– Bradford Bulls 0 0 0 0 0
Total 295 77 287 15 897
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018 England Knights 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 18 March 2026
Close

He has previously played for the Swinton Lions in League 1 and the Championship. Atkin also played for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Championship and the Super League, and for Salford Red Devils and Castleford Tigers in the Super League. He has represented the England Knights at international level.

Background

Atkin was born in Widnes, Cheshire, England. He is a graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. Atkin is also a qualified teacher, previously teaching Physical Education at Wade Deacon High School in Widnes.

Early career

Atkin was in the Widnes Vikings' Academy System and he has previously played for the England Students in the 2013 Student Rugby League World Cup.[3] Atkin was then eventually released by the Widnes Academy System due to them already having two established young halves in Tom Gilmore and Danny Craven.

Senior career

Atkin playing for the Swinton Lions in 2017

Swinton Lions (2014–17)

Between 2014 and 2017, he played for Swinton on a part-time basis under head coach John Duffy. Atkin was the hero in the Swinton's 2015 play-off semi-final victory over the York City Knights, slotting over the match-winning drop-goal in golden-point extra-time, to secure their spot in the 2015 play-off final.[4] Once again, Atkin's impressive performance in the 2015 play-off final against the Keighley Cougars proved to be the difference at the final whistle. Swinton gained promotion to the Championship with a thrilling 29–28 victory over Keighley,[5] with Atkin scoring a try and kicking over a drop-goal, which proved to be the deciding factor come the end of the match.[citation needed]

Hull Kingston Rovers (2017–19)

Atkin was originally slated to join Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2018 season, but due to financial difficulties at Swinton, Hull Kingston Rovers agreed to pay the Swinton club a five-figure transfer fee to secure Atkin's services with immediate effect during the dying stages of the 2017 season.[6] On 23 July 2017, Atkin made his Hull Kingston Rovers début against Halifax, in a 28-6 Championship league defeat.[7] Atkin was part of the Hull Kingston Rovers side that won promotion back to the Super League at the first time of asking following relegation the season prior.

Following an impressive start to his Hull Kingston Rovers career in the latter-stages of the 2017 Championship season, Atkin was quickly handed his Super League bow in round two against Leeds in 2018, where he won the Sky Sports 'Man-of-the-Match' Award.[8][9] Atkin scored his first try for Hull Kingston Rovers on 2 April 2018, in a 44–6 Super League defeat against Wigan at the DW Stadium.

Salford Red Devils (2020–25)

In round 10 of the 2021 Super League season, Atkin kicked the winning field goal for Salford in their 9–8 victory over Huddersfield.[10]

In the 2022 Super League season, Atkin played 20 games for Salford including their semi-final loss against St Helens.

In the 2023 Super League season, Atkin played 27 games for Salford as the club finished 7th on the table and missed the playoffs.[11]

Castleford Tigers (2025–26)

On 29 April 2025, Atkin signed for Castleford Tigers in the Super League.[12]

Bradford Bulls (2026–)

On 18 March 2026, Atkin signed for Bradford Bulls on a deal until the end of the season.[13]

Representative career

England Knights (2018)

2018

It was announced by the Rugby Football League on 7 March 2018, that Atkin had been selected in the 25-man England Knights' Performance Squad, that would be touring Papua New Guinea for a two-game Test match series later in the year.[14]

Atkin made his début for the England Knights against Papua New Guinea on 27 October 2018, the game played in Lae ended in a 12-16 victory to the Knights.[15] He played against Papua New Guinea at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.[16]

Statistics

More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and points in all competitions by year
ClubSeasonTier App T G DG Pts
Swinton Lions 2014 Championship 1890137
2015 Championship 1 27211062298
2016 Championship 3111881221
2017 Championship 243745165
Total 100442689721
Hull Kingston Rovers 2017 Championship 70124
2018 Super League 31124359
2019 Super League 2830012
Total 66155575
Salford Red Devils 2020 Super League 112008
2021 Super League 2063131
2022 Super League 2031014
2023 Super League 2940016
2024 Super League 222008
2025 Super League 80000
Total 110174177
Castleford Tigers 2025 Super League 16110024
2026 Super League 30000
Total 19110024
Bradford Bulls 2026 Super League 00000
Career total 2957728715897
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As of match played 21 February 2026[1][2]

References

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