Matthew Watkins
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Jason Watkins | ||
| Nickname | Jay | ||
| Born |
2 September 1978 Newport, Wales | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 95 kg (14 st 13 lb) | ||
| School(s) attended | Oakdale Comprehensive School | ||
| Club information | |||
| Playing position | Centre | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Newbridge | |||
| Pontllanfraith | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Pts)† |
| 1997–2002 | Newport | 121 | (175) |
| 2002–2003 | Llanelli | () | |
| 2003–2008 | Llanelli Scarlets | 124 | (169) |
| 2008–2009 | Gloucester | 22 | (10) |
| 2009–2011 | Newport Gwent Dragons | 20 | (5) |
| 2009–2011 | Newport | 10 | (0) |
| Representative team(s) | |||
| 2003–2006 | Wales | 18 | (0) |
|
† Appearances (Points). | |||
Matthew Jason Watkins (born 2 September 1978) is a former Wales international rugby union footballer who played as a centre. He is commonly known by the name Matthew J. Watkins to avoid confusion with another Welsh rugby union player of the same name.
Born in Newport, Watkins began his rugby career with Newbridge and Pontllanfraith before going professional with Newport in 1997. After scoring 35 tries (175 points) in 121 appearances over five seasons with the club, Watkins was signed by Llanelli. He was then part of the team at the dawn of regional rugby in Wales in 2003 and was part of the original Llanelli Scarlets regional side.
By 2007, he had become only the third player to reach 100 appearances for the region, following lock Adam Jones and prop John Davies.[1] Watkins signed for Gloucester at the end of the 2007–08 season, mid-way through a three-year contract with the Scarlets.[2]
On 3 August 2009, it was confirmed that Watkins would return to Wales and to the place where his professional rugby career began, signing for Newport Gwent Dragons on a two-year contract.[3] He was released at the end of the 2010-11 season and retired soon after.
On 20 May 2013, it was announced that Watkins had developed a very rare pelvic cancer while studying for rugby coaching qualifications, but described himself as remaining "well and active."[4]
References
- ↑ "Watkins reaches milestone". scarlets.co.uk (The Scarlets). 28 April 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ↑ "Gloucester sign Scarlets' Watkins". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 12 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- ↑ Dragons Bring Watkins Home newportgwentdragons.com
- ↑ "Tough Challenge Ahead For Matthew". wru.co.uk (Welsh Rugby Union). 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.