I agree, Swinton would probably send him back

He told me that we were competing with south's, the bulldogs and the roosters during our training sessions in Australia, but in the two games we've played we look like we'd struggle to break down and score against Gatesheads defence.

I feel somewhat misled.

That's the royal me, of course.

How long do we have to wait though? Ever since he had a child, started his own business and got linked to Union he has played like dog poo. Coinciden've? I think not.

Play him and potentially end up 0 in 3? Nah, you're alright.

He's been poor for a while now and expecting him to just up his game isn't working for him or us. I've liked Atkins since he's been here, there was a point where I couldn't look past him and Bridge starting for England, but his form at both ends is so poor it's harming our results.

He doesn't strike me as the type of person that doesn't put it in during training, but he's woefully out of form and maybe a bit of time away is what he needs. Blitzing a few tries for Swinton might be the perfect morale boost for him, but another battering on the pitch is only going to make things worse.