Rugby: Young star Atkin grabs chance to move south

One of Edinburgh and Scottish rugby's most promising young players has opted to develop his skills by uprooting and accepting a professional contract south of the Border.

Sam Atkin, a centre or wing in the Edinburgh Accies team which won promotion back into the premiership last season and who starred with Scottish under-20s in their recent World Cup tournament, has accepted a deal with English cracks Worcester Warriors.

The move follows hot on the heels of Ayr prospect Mark Bennett, another centre, turning down Glasgow to sign for Clermont Auvergne in France.

Confirming the move Accies coach Simon Cross said: "While we are sorry to see Sam leave we take satisfaction at Accies from having helped to produce another player for the professional ranks. We're delighted for him that he has earned a contract with Worcester."

Cross was part of Scotland's coaching team at the Under-20 World Cup in Italy and saw first-hand just how quickly Atkin, who turns 20 at the end of the month, is developing.

The youngster, whose sister is a Scottish welterweight and British and Irish universities boxing champion, played in all five games at the global event - facing South Africa, England, Ireland, Tonga and Argentina - where he showed considerable versatility.

Added Cross: "Sam worked away doing the simple things very well and ended up moving in from the wing to play No 13 (outside centre] to facilitate Stuart Hogg's strong running from full back.

"If Sam works hard and continues to develop an all round game, particularly the accuracy of his passing, he will go a long way. His tackling is good and there aren't many wingers you can be confident about defending the No 13 channel so that was credit to him with the under-20s."

At 13st 8lbs and 5ft 11in Atkin, who played for Edinburgh from under-16 to under-18 level and also represented Scotland under-18s and under-19s, has plenty of scope for physical development at a Worcester club who have made a quick return to the English top flight and whose playing staff include two full Scotland caps: prop Bruce Douglas and centre Alex Grove.

It was only towards the end of the 2011 age-group Six Nations series, however, that Atkin earned a first start for Scotland, against Italy, but head coach Peter Wright was in no doubt about the potential of a player who also has connections with the Haddington club. Said Wright: "He's a guy who challenges defences."

That was particularly noticeable when Accies won a feisty Scottish Cup tie with Jed- Forest 25-17 last season and, afterwards, Cross said of the match's turning point: "Arguably the difference between the sides was when we moved young Sam Atkin in from the wing to centre because, even on a heavy pitch, he has good balance in his running."

Meanwhile, last year's Division Two champions Accies have now returned to training, although the front five forwards have been back for several weeks with Cross explaining: "The majority of our front five didn't play much seven-a-sides so because they finished last season a bit earlier it made sense that they resumed training ahead of the others.

"Edinburgh have signed Alex Black (an age-group international scrum half previously with Leeds] and we are delighted he has been affiliated with us, while Jamie Farndale is an outstanding prospect straight out of Edinburgh Academy who we have high hopes for next season.

"It is going to be a tough season back in Division One, but fitness testing has already been undertaken and our build up is now well underway."