The centre will find out whether he's in Tony Smith's final 24-man England squad to travel to Australia for the 2008 World Cup.

Atkins is the only Wakefield player to be included in Smith's England train-on squad, with players from St Helens and Leeds Rhinos still to be added following Saturday's Grand Final.

And whether he's on the plane Down Under or not, the 22-year-old insists the experience of training with the best players and coaches in the country will stand him in good stead for the Wildcats in 2009.

"Training has been very tough; it's the first time I've been included in the England squad with Tony Smith in charge and its been different from before, its been very technical," he said.

"We've been up at Leeds University training in a heat chamber so that we can get used to the climate we'd experience in Australia, which means doing the bike and the normal things you'd do in a gym, only at 40 degrees and with humidity at 65 per cent.

"We also go over to Sale RUFC and Kirkstall to train three times a week so it's been tough but I believe it'll progress me as a player."

He continued: "We find out next week if we're going to be included in the final 24 but whether I'm included or not its been a great experience in the train-on squad and I think it'll help me progress personally and for the Wildcats next year too."

Atkins expects Leeds' Keith Senior and Warrington's Martin Gleeson to take two of the centre places in the final squad, and expects one of him, Michael Shenton and Paul Sykes to take a third spot.

But his head coach at Wakefield John Kear, who set him a target of breaking in to the World Cup squad at the start of Super League XIII, has warned his young star not to be too disappointed if he doesn't make the squad this time round.

"I think injuries will play a part and if everyone's fit then I probably don't think he'll get in," said Kear.

"But the training and involvement with the squad stands him in good stead and will help better him as a player."

For all the latest news and vies from the Wakefield Wildcats, and the rest of the sporting news from around the district, see Friday's Wakefield Express Sport.