Warrington's Ryan Atkins is aiming to step up his rugby rehabilitation against his home-town team Leeds on Friday.
Wolves centre determined to get back on track after England woe
Warrington Wolves centre Ryan Atkins is aiming to step up his rugby rehabilitation against his home-town team Leeds in Friday's engage Super League fixture at Headingley.
Atkins, 25, struggled as part of the England squad on their visit to Australia and New Zealand last autumn and the experience left him so badly scarred mentally that he sought the services of a psychologist.
"I was terrible on tour," said Atkins. "I was tested against the best and I was way off.
"It was pretty shattering for me because I thought I was ready for it but clearly I wasn't.
"We don't play against them that often and it was a real big shock to see how good they actually were. It was an eye-opener without a doubt and I didn't cope with it.
"I had a horrid time out there. It's no excuse but you are away from your family and your comforts. When you have a bad game in Super League, you get to go back to your family and get consoled and get back into your routine.
"Out there when you've played poorly, all you've only got around you are the rugby lads and when you are in the hotel room just about every spare minute it can be a tough place. I found it very tough."
Demoted
Atkins accepted England coach Steve McNamara's decision to demote him to the Knights squad and believes the left-centre spot for the mid-season international against the Exiles should go to Hull's in-form Kirk Yeaman.
But the Leeds-born Atkins has not given up hope of forcing his way back into the England reckoning in time for the end-of-season Four Nations Series after re-discovering his form with Warrington with the help of his club coach Tony Smith and psychologist Damian Hughes.
"I came back and spoke to Tony, who was brilliant with me," he said. "I had a couple of extra weeks off to get my head around rugby league again and I like to think it's made me stronger, mentally and physically.
"We have a psychologist, Damian, and I spoke to him quite a bit. My head was all over. But I'm past that now and back to playing some decent rugby. I'm enjoying my rugby again.
"I'm in the Knights and Steve said you don't have to be in the elite squad to be picked for the Exiles game but I think the left centre should go to Kirk Yeaman.
"I'm a bit down in the pecking order but I'll keep playing my best for Warrington and hopefully give him a few headaches by the end of the year."
Atkins was out for a month with an ankle injury but has still managed to score eight tries in 10 Super League appearances for the table-toppers.
"Ryan is in super form," said Smith. "He's playing very confidently and consistently and I'm pleased for him."
Warrington, who have not conceded a point in their last three league and cup matches, can open up a two-point lead with victory over the Rhinos at Headingley.
