Owen Paul Watkin (born 12 October 1996) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Ospreys and the Wales national team.[1][2]

Owen Watkin
Watkin representing Wales during the Rugby World Cup
Full nameOwen Paul Watkin
Date of birth (1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 (age 28)
Place of birthBridgend, Wales
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb)
SchoolBridgend College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Ospreys
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015– Ospreys 107 (45)
Correct as of 24 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2016 Wales U20 13 (10)
2017– Wales 38 (10)
Correct as of 24 March 2024

Club career

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A product of the Ospreys Academy, he signed his first professional contract with his home region in 2016 having also featured for his hometown team, Bridgend Ravens.

Having made his regional debut for the Ospreys in September, 2015 as an 18-year-old, he has developed into a mainstay at the Liberty Stadium. After his breakthrough season in 2015/16 he suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in training in July, 2016, and was forced to spend more than a year on the sidelines.[3]

International career

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After presenting great progress for his regional team, Watkin was selected in the 36 man squad for the Autumn internationals in 2017. He made his international test debut against Australia on 11 November 2017, replacing Owen Williams in the 68th minute. He was recognised by Warren Gatland as an upcoming star and was selected for multiple other squads, including the Grand Slam winning Welsh team in 2019. During the 2019 Six Nations Championship, Watkin scored a try against Italy after a cross-field kick from Gareth Anscombe. Wales' win against Italy was their 11th win in a row, beating their previous record.

Owen Watkin was selected in the 46 man training squad to travel to Switzerland in June 2019 ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Career statistics

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List of international tries

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 February 2019 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy   Italy 24–10 26–15 2019 Six Nations Championship
2 19 March 2022 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales   Italy 5–6 21–22 2022 Six Nations Championship

as of 19 March 2022

References

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  1. ^ Alex Bywater (19 March 2016). "The rise and rise of Owen Watkin: Meet the young Wales under 20s star who Warren Gatland admires". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. ^ Oli Dickson Jefford (12 February 2022). "Wales star Owen Watkin relishing return to international fold". sixnationsrugby.com. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  3. ^ Mark Orders (24 January 2018). "Rising Wales star Owen Watkin celebrates record-equalling performance by penning new contract with the Ospreys". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
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