Gloucester's Joseph and Atkinson Compare to Kante and Yamal

In an interview, Gloucester’s Will Joseph and Seb Atkinson discussed their dynamic as a centre pairing, drawing parallels to notable footballers. Atkinson noted a connection with Martin St Quinton, their owner, as he commented on the unusual sight of a Caterham 7 sports car in the Kingsholm car park. Joseph chimed in, referencing another player, Val Rapava-Ruskin, who once drove a Maserati. Atkinson humorously mentioned his own car, a VW Golf, likening himself to N’Golo Kante, the French midfielder known for his modesty.

Joseph praised Atkinson’s relentless work ethic, explaining how he consistently ranks high in meters run during games and training. Last season, Atkinson distinguished himself as the inside centre, leading the PREM in post-contact metres among backs, thus adding a physical dimension to Gloucester’s lineup. Meanwhile, Joseph, playing as the outside centre, brought a flair to the team’s attack.

The players exuded positivity as Gloucester prepared to face Bordeaux, the back-to-back European champions, in the Champions Cup opener. After finishing eighth in the PREM last season, Gloucester now leads the table after three matches, demonstrating significant improvement. Chris Boyd, the technical director, initiated a restructuring last season, enhancing the coaching staff with Brett Deacon, Joel Tomkins, and Rob Burgess. This summer, Gloucester aimed to bolster their squad by signing prominent players such as Springbok lock Jean Kleyn and Wales co-captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan.

Despite being one of only two PREM teams never to have won the league title, Gloucester’s ambitions remain high as they seek to end this drought. Atkinson expressed optimism about their current trajectory, noting the team's ability to push their limits and enhance their performance. The atmosphere within the camp is vibrant, fueled by a desire to deliver hard-hitting tackles and make a lasting impression on the field.