# Chris Atkin

Christopher Atkin (born 7 February 1993) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half, stand-off or hooker for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League and the England Knights at international level.
He has previously played for the Swinton Lions in League 1 and the Championship, occasionally playing as a fullback. Atkin also played for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Championship and the Super League.

## 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. 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
### Swinton (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. 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, with Atkin scoring a try and kicking over a drop-goal, which proved to be the deciding factor come the end of the match.

### Hull Kingston Rovers (2017 - 2019)

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. On 23 July 2017, Atkin made his Hull Kingston Rovers début against Halifax, in a 28-6 Championship league defeat. 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. 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 (2020 - present)

In round 10 of the 2021 Super League season, Atkin kicked the winning field goal for Salford in their 9-8 victory over Huddersfield. 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, Atkins played 27 games for Salford as the club finished 7th on the table and missed the playoffs.

## Representative career
### 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.
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. He played against Papua New Guinea at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.