WOLVES centre Ryan Atkins says fatherhood and other off-field factors have played a key role in his return to the Super League Dream Team.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular return to form in 2016, scoring 17 tries so far.

Away from rugby, Atkins and girlfriend Stevie Wright are expecting a second daughter to follow three-year-old Nala and he says that has helped him return to the league’s select team for the first time since 2012, as well as in-depth work on his game during the off-season.

“This year’s been great for me, I’ve learnt a lot as a player and a person,” he said.

“Having a young family and something away from rugby has helped me take my mind off things and it’s really helped my form.

“I set some goals with the club and on my own, this was one of them. The only way you get in this team is to play well week in, week out and I think I’ve done that.

“We broke my game down to the basics and rebuilt slowly from there. That’s what I needed as well as being truthful with myself with injuries, thinking I can just get on with it when I can’t.

“I’ve learnt some hard lessons but it’s paid off this year.

“I’ve got my confidence back, I’m enjoying my rugby and I’m playing with a smile on my face. Hopefully I can keep smiling now for a couple more weeks!”

After his first selection in 2012, a season in which he scored 27 tries, Atkins admits the years that followed were riddled with injury and inconsistency.

However, he says selection alongside Hull FC’s Mahe Fonua in the centres of this year’s Dream Team is a marker of his renewed self-belief.

“It feels great to be named in the team but hopefully it brings a bit better luck than last time!” he joked.

“I was in the team in 2012 but the years after that were full of injury and underperforming in my opinion so I hope not to do the same again.

“It’s all well and good when your mum and girlfriend tell you you’re playing well but to be recognised by the press for being one of the best centres in the competition is great.

“It adds to the confidence and self-belief I’ve built up this year. Some will disagree with the selection of this team but I’m in it at the end of the day.

“It’s a great pat on the back for me and it gives me more confidence leading into the end of the season.”

Atkins is likely to play a key role as The Wire look to reach their first Grand Final since 2013 by beating St Helens tonight, Thursday.

Wolves stormed to the League Leaders’ Shield last week with victory at main rivals Hull FC and the England international says the camp is full of confidence.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this for this stage, people asking me if I’d have rather come second so we didn’t have to play Saints at home but the answer is always no.

“We got one monkey off our back on Friday as we hadn’t beaten Hull all year. Now we can potentially get rid of this one, what better way to get to a Grand Final.

“They are playing some excellent rugby at the moment, we need to look after their forwards. Roby is back to his best as well but if we can control the big guys it takes him out of the game.

“We need to bring silverware to this club and we’ve done that but there’s still one more we want.”