Gloucester hit the top as Atkinson's long road leads to Kingsholm

Gloucester are top of the Premiership after back-to-back wins to open the season, and Charlie Atkinson is steering them from fly-half — the No 10 playmaker who calls the attacking shape.

The Cherry and Whites followed an opening-day victory away to Exeter with a 48-0 demolition of Harlequins at home at Kingsholm, according to BBC Sport. It is a sharp change from last season, when Gloucester finished eighth.

Atkinson’s route to the top of the table has been anything but smooth. He made his second Premiership appearance for Wasps in September 2020 at just 18. Coming off the bench against Saracens, he fielded a kick downfield and was knocked unconscious by a high tackle from Owen Farrell. Farrell was sent off with a red card.

Farrell waited on the touchline to check on the teenager and later visited him in the dressing room. Atkinson suffered concussion and did not play again that season.

Two years later he was Wasps’ first-choice fly-half for the club’s final ever game, a 40-36 defeat by Northampton played three days after his 21st birthday. Wasps went into administration in October 2022.

Gloucester and Harlequins both approached him after the collapse. He chose Leicester instead after a meeting with Steve Borthwick, who had just led Leicester to the Premiership title. Two months later Borthwick and assistant Kevin Sinfield left Leicester to coach England.

Atkinson later moved from Leicester to Gloucester at Kingsholm after the clubs agreed a deal. He won his only England cap to date in July 2025, coming on for the final 18 minutes of a 40-5 win over the United States, and has been a regular for England A since.

Gloucester recruited heavily before this campaign, adding Wales internationals Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake alongside lock Jean Kleyn. The early signs are strong.

What makes this stand out is momentum. Gloucester have paired new power up front with a young English fly-half who knows what it feels like to lose a club. For supporters new to the story, that context matters. Wasps were one of England’s biggest clubs. Their players scattered overnight.

For fans, this means a fresh name at the top. Gloucester have started fast, Atkinson is running the show, and the league leaders suddenly look worth watching.