STATEMENT: Leicester Tigers fly-half departs the club with immediate effect

Since joining in October 2022, Atkinson contributed to 24 games for the Tigers, with his final match against Stade Francais in Paris.

Speaking about the release, Atkinson said: “After Wasps, and everything that happened, Leicester and this group of lads took me in and treated me like family, so I’ll always have fond memories of the club."

“I want to thank the Tigers fans for all their support and wish the lads all the best for the rest of the season.”

Leicester Tigers General Manager Richard Wilks added: “Charlie is a player of immense potential and a popular member of our group, so he’ll certainly be missed at the club.”

“The reality is there are longer term squad management factors at play when you operate within any salary cap sport and in this instance, a good opportunity arose for Charlie to move and allowing him to go now assists us with our squad management moving forward.

“It’s pleasing that Charlie got to finish on a high note with us against Stade Francais and we wish him well for the future.”

The club has since been confirmed as Gloucester.

Brace yourself for the controversial results that are sure to spark debates and stir the rugby community.

‘Underappreciated’ and ‘unfortunate’ are two words which probably encapsulate Shaw. Despite incredible longevity and a durability few other rugby players could match, particularly as the game became more and more physical, Shaw should have easily amassed over 100 caps.

Legend of the game Martin Johnson, who was an inspirational leader and brilliant player, generally stood in his way, but the Wasps man’s skills were often underutilised by those that coached him. 

Former Wales assistant and defence coach guru Shaun Edwards even said Shaw is the 'most underrated player in recent history'. 

One of the game’s most intelligent ball-handling forwards, Creevy backs up a superb work-rate in the loose with granite physicality in the tight, with his ability to win direct collisions against opposition forwards one of his key attributes. Very underrated.

Finally getting his day after being selected by Warren Gatland for the 2021 Lions.  In a game of giants, surrounded by enormous people, he doesn’t take no for an answer with his relenteness style of play. Such a tremendous ball-carrier, so physical, and a ferocious competitor. You just know he’ll be a great Lion.

"The French forward is a player who jumps to mind."

"His appearance was half his reputation. Whenever he was given the appropriate attention he folded."

"Talented athlete who put in the odd big tackle but when push came to shove he always seemed to wilt away from the physical side of the game."

"Youngs is dreadful, he's a poor decision maker, impatient, not an accurate passer and he crumbles under pressure or in any match where his pack isn't dominating the opposition."

"Ben Youngs is the most overrated English scrum half ever and isn’t in the top 4 scrum half’s in England let alone the world."

"Ben Youngs constantly proves to be our most overrated player"

"Going to be controversial but Sergio Parisse. Sure he had fantastic skills but he was a show pony and not a work horse and people often overlooked this. He looked fantastic for Italy but that was because he was allowed to do all the flashy stuff but was mediocre in other areas."

"I think Parisse got a lot of credit just for being a leader and a quality player in a poor Italy side and was never rated by anyone as anywhere near world class"

"Consistently made world xv teams on scant evidence."

"Never has a cliche ever fit a player more than overrated show pony for Sergio Parisse"

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