It's a good point you make about Atkins England career. Whether he is the fastest, strongest, etc etc is all debatable, but one thing we probably have some consensus it that he should be in the England squad.

Atkins should definately be in teh England squad. I know he had a shocker of a tour to Oz, but he's matured as a player now and doesn't have the same frailties now.

He did say after the 4N games last year that his personal reasons for not playing was that his "wrist was hanging on by a thread" and that was the reason he didn't play internationals after the regluar season. Why this isn't spoken about now is a mystery to me as if a player is too injured to play, you don't risk them against the Aussies!

Charnley is more than likely quicker over 30m but I reckon Atkins would do him over the full 100m. He almost chased him down in the Quarter Final last year.

Well on the thing re Atkins and England, do you remember that bridge pulled out of the world cup squad or the 4 nations down under as he was having a baby, and he said at the time, Steve had assured him, it wouldn't be held against him in future squads.