Leicester in talks to sign Charlie Atkinson as rivals move for Alfie Barbeary and Jack Willis
Alfie #Alfie
Leicester Tigers have opened talks with Charlie Atkinson over a deal that would take the Wasps fly-half to Mattioli Woods Welford Road this season.
Sources have indicated to Telegraph Sport that Leicester are monitoring the situations of three more of Wasps’ senior players. Meanwhile, Bristol Bears have been linked with Jack Willis and Alfie Barbeary is known to have held discussions with at least three Premiership clubs as he weighs up the prospect of heading to France with Union Bordeaux Bègles .
Atkinson, only 21 years old and a bright young talent of English rugby, will be one of the most coveted members of the stricken Wasps squad, all of whom are looking for new jobs after being made redundant on Monday.
It is understood that Saracens is another potential destination, but joining the reigning Premiership champions ticks a lot of boxes. It would be a short move across the Midlands for him and would give Atkinson, who has been named by Eddie Jones in various England training camps, the chance to work under Steve Borthwick.
Reacting to Monday’s announcement that Wasps had entered administration and all players and men’s coaching staff had been made redundant, Atkinson said on Twitter: “Absolutely heartbroken with the news that’s come out today. The breakup of a family that meant so much to the whole Wasps community. Unbelievable players, staff and fans over the years that have helped create friendships and memories which will undoubtedly last a lifetime”
Handre Pollard, currently injured, and Freddie Burns are the two senior fly-halves at Tigers with the versatile Jimmy Gopperth having arrived from Wasps over the summer.
Burns is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and there is recent history of players coming to Leicester on short-term contracts before earning longer stays. Chris Ashton, picked up as a free agent, and Nic Dolly represent just two examples.
World Cup-winning conditioning guru Aled Walters is known to be a big draw for Leicester recruits, as is the opportunity to play in front of a packed crowd at Welford Road.
As far as Leicester’s salary cap space for Atkinson and any others, some will be freed up before Christmas with the departures of Nemani Nadolo and Bryce Hegarty, both of whom are travelling to Australia to play in Super Rugby with the Waratahs and Western Force, respectively.
Tigers, who contributed five players to Jones’ 36-man squad for the autumn internationals, will also receive salary-cap credits for their England contingent.
Atkinson, a combative and tough defender as well as a skilful playmaker with a dangerous running game, came through the Wasps academy and represented England at age-grade level.
Since making his Premiership debut for Wasps in August 2020 as a teenager, he gradually established himself as first-choice fly-half. Borthwick is fond of positional versatility and Atkinson is a capable full-back, too.
Tigers, who were due to face Wasps on Sunday and had originally been set to follow that with a game against Worcester Warriors, are currently without a Premiership fixture until Nov. They could well follow Northampton Saints, Harlequins and Bath, all of whom will face the Barbarians, in setting up a friendly.
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