This article is about the rugby union player. For the ice hockey player, see Matt Watkins.
Rugby player
Matthew Watkins
Full name
Matthew Jason Watkins
Date of birth
(1978-09-02)2 September 1978
Place of birth
Newport, Wales
Date of death
7 March 2020(2020-03-07) (aged 41)
Height
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight
95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
School
Oakdale Comprehensive School
Rugby union career
Position(s)
Centre
Youth career
Newbridge
Pontllanfraith
Senior career
Years
Team
Apps
(Points)
1997–2002
Newport
121
(175)
2002–2003
Llanelli
26
(50)
2003–2008
Llanelli Scarlets
124
(169)
2008–2009
Gloucester
22
(10)
2009–2011
Newport Gwent Dragons
20
(5)
2009–2011
Newport
10
(0)
International career
Years
Team
Apps
(Points)
2003–2006
Wales
18
(0)
Matthew Jason Watkins (2 September 1978 – 7 March 2020) was a Welsh professional rugby union player who played as a centre. He was 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. He was also called up to the Wales national team several times during his spell with the Scarlets, earning 18 caps between 2003 and 2006.
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, midway 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] On 7 March 2020, it was announced that Watkins had died at the age of 41.[5]
^"Watkins reaches milestone". scarlets.co.uk. The Scarlets. 28 April 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
^"Gloucester sign Scarlets' Watkins". BBC Sport. BBC. 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.
^"Matthew J Watkins: Ex-Wales centre dies at the age of 41". BBC Sport. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
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...
Watkins guest-starred on the Cold Case season 5 episode "World's End". In July 2009, a Funny or Die video called The Sentimentalist starring Watkins was...
from England. She is the founder of the Beat13 Collective with artist MatthewWatkins. McLauchlan works on a large scale with print and paint, predominantly...
up to his eyelid. Watkins created his YouTube account in 2016, uploading gameplay videos occasionally. Around December 2017, Watkins began livestreaming...
Williams Officer Reggie Moore Boyfriend of Jeanie Boulet 1998–2000, 2008 MatthewWatkins Reese Benton Son of Peter Benton 1999–2001, 2009 Judy Parfitt Isabelle...
Hallee Hirsh as Rachel Greene Thandiwe Newton as Makemba "Kem" Likasu MatthewWatkins as Reese Benton Tony Hale as Norman Brent and Shane Kinsman as Curly...
MatthewWatkins (born November 22, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played a single game with the Phoenix Coyotes in the...
Khandi Alexander as Jackie Robbins Lisa Nicole Carson as Carla Reece MatthewWatkins as Reese Benton Victor Williams as Roger McGrath Paul Freeman as Dr...
Khandi Alexander as Jackie Robbins Lisa Nicole Carson as Carla Simmons MatthewWatkins as Reese Benton John Cullum as David Greene Yvonne Zima as Rachel Greene...
in Oxford and later, in London. Watkins also acted as a race track doctor at weekends which he continued at Watkins Glen International when he was appointed...
Lisa Nicole Carson as Carla Simmons Victor Williams as Roger McGrath MatthewWatkins as Reese Benton Paul Freeman as Dr. Charles Corday Judy Parfitt as...
Conrad Beau Billingslea as George Mitchell Phillip Troy Linger as Dr. MatthewWatkins Jack Scalia as Max Farrington Paul Tassone as Stranded Motorist Dominic...
Sobriki Liza Weil as Samantha Sobriki Christina Hendricks as Joyce Westlake Matthew Settle as Brian Westlake Chris Sarandon as Dr. Burke (NYC) Michael Ironside...
Wesley Wade Watkins (born December 15, 1938) is an American politician from the state of Oklahoma. Watkins is a retired member of the United States House...
of his resignation. Watkins was born in 1987. His father, Jim Watkins, is a former member of the United States Army, and Watkins grew up moving often...
Gregg as FBI Director Ray Madison Brian J. White as Vincent Orlov Tuc Watkins as Frank Church Paul F. Tompkins as Brian Garrity Kiele Sanchez as Sydney...
Texas Removes Confederate Monuments". The New York Times. p. A16. MatthewWatkins (August 22, 2017). "UT-Austin removes Confederate statues in the middle...
Morgan Watkins is a British film, television and stage actor from Camden, London. Watkins trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2009...
the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, 1948–1952. The second layout (4.600 miles (7.403 km)) began use in 1953 and also used existing roads. The Watkins Glen...
Matthew Laurance (born Matthew Dickoff) is an American film and television actor best known for starring as Ben Coleman in the Fox sitcom Duet and for...
Talarico, state representative from the 50th district (2018–present) Watkins, Matthew (March 1, 2024). "Donald Trump says Greg Abbott is "absolutely" on...
Gethin Jenkins FL 18 Dafydd Jones 49' FL 19 Gavin Thomas 65' SH 20 Gareth Cooper FH 21 Ceri Sweeney 73' CE 22 MatthewWatkins 55' Coach: Steve Hansen...
FB 15 Gareth Thomas RW 14 Mark Jones OC 13 Hal Luscombe IC 12 MatthewWatkins 6' to 16' LW 11 Shane Williams FH 10 Stephen Jones SH 9 Dwayne Peel 65'...
Luke Watkins (born 27 November 1989) is an English professional boxer who held the Commonwealth cruiserweight title from 2017 to 2018. Watkins made his...
Brazee (also known as the She-Wolf), the French lover of John Watkins and mother of JJ Watkins. During the war, she was a spy sent to romance Baron Zemo....
Global Information