Matthew Watkins

Who is Matthew Watkins?

Matthew Jason Watkins 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 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. Watkins signed for Gloucester at the end of the 2007–08 season, mid-way through a three-year contract with the Scarlets.

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. He was released at the end of the 2010-11 season and retired soon after.