Ryan Atkins: York City Knights' former Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and England star announces retirement
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The 35-year-old made his Super League debut for Trinity in 2006 and had two spells there club either side of a stint with Warrington Wolves, where he was a two-time Challenge Cup final winner.
Super League’s sixth-highest try-scorer, he joined York City Knights at the end of last season and made his 400th career appearance earlier this year.
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Hide Ad“I was contemplating going around again, but the time is right,” Atkins said.
“I thought at the end of last year this could be my swansong, having a really good dig at getting to the play-offs and getting promoted this year with York, but that has just not happened.
“The further we have got through the year, the more batterings my body has taken and I just think the time is right now for me to transition away and into the real world.”
Atkins added: “I’ve been doing that gradually now for the last 12 months in a recruitment role and I’m absolutely loving it, but - for rugby - my body just won’t do what my mind and my brain wants it to do.
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Hide Ad“I always said, when it came to that point, I would call it a day and thankfully I’ve got to make that decision off my own back.
“It’s not an injury or a lack of options, it’s down to my wife, my children and I having come to the agreement it’s time to spend more time as a family.”
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