Lock Ollie Atkins is embarking on a new chapter in his career, after moving to Exeter Chiefs from Edinburgh Rugby.

Atkins, whose dad Michael was born in Haddington, and grew up in Dunbar, has made the switch to the south coast after two years at the Capital club.

The 26-year-old has already made the most of his strong links to East Lothian, winning a Scotland A cap in a 16-16 draw against England Saxons in early 2014.

And the former NSW Waratah described his dad as “a proud Scotsman who moved to Australia in his late teens”.

Atkins hopes he can make his dad proud and impress enough with the Chiefs to win a first full international cap in the near future.

“Everyone dreams of playing Test footie, so if the call came from Scotland I’d be absolutely honoured,” he said.

After making the switch from Edinburgh Rugby in the summer, Atkins has been enjoying getting to know his new team-mates.

He told Courier Sport: “I only really knew Byron McGuigan from Scotland A stuff before I got down here, but when you’ve been with these boys every day for a couple of weeks, it feels like you’ve been here for years.

“From that point of view, everyone has been great, and I’m really enjoying it.” Atkins spent two seasons at BT Murrayfield, where he made 32 appearances, but found the going tough last season behind established first-choice duo Anton Bresler and Ben Toolis.

And he admits the lure of a “fresh challenge” was too good to turn down, and is looking forward to his maiden season in the Aviva Premiership.