By one metric, at least, Seb Atkinson has a claim to be the fittest man in rugby union. The so-called “Bronco” test is the scourge of many a player across the levels, a gruelling test of physical readiness over five sets of shuttles over 60m, 40m and 20m that burns both lungs and legs. Until last year, the professional record was thought to have been jointly held by All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Cam Roigard – but Gloucester centre Atkinson went four seconds quicker.
“I did it in four minutes and eight seconds,” the 23-year-old confirms to The Independent with a quiet sense of accomplishment and assurance that will serve him well as he makes his Six Nations debut against Italy this weekend. “It’s a bit of an unregulated test, so it’s very unofficial.”
