Watkin is hoping to see world with Wales
BIG CHANCE: Watkin will face Italy OWEN WATKIN is part of Wales’ next generation of young talent and the 21-year-old Osprey hopes a first Six Nations start can be the springboard to help him achieve his World Cup dream.
With Wales out of contention for the title, head coach Warren Gatland has given youth its chance for Sunday’s meeting with Italy. Gatland has made 10 changes to face the Azzurri and is keen to see what his fringe players can do with next year’s tournament in Japan in mind.
Centre Watkin will win a fourth cap at the Principality Stadium and hopes to star on the big stage.
He said: “I’d love to play in a World Cup and if I perform, fingers crossed I will get that chance. This is my opportunity to show what I can do.
“I’m just pleased to have the opportunity to get some game-time because I’m still young and learning. Every game I play I like to prove a point to people and I will try to put my stamp on it this weekend.”
Watkin’s combination of brute power and dexterous handling makes him a promising talent.
But after bursting on to the scene with the Wales Under-20 side, his progress has been hit by concussion and a cruciate knee ligament injury.
He started this season playing club rugby for Bridgend, but is highly rated by Gatland.
“I have still got to look after my knee and manage it. I was worried I wouldn’t get back to where I was before I had the injury because I hadn’t achieved what I wanted,” said Watkin.
“Being involved in the autumn helped my development as well as my confidence. I feel I’ve benefited enormously having learnt from players like Scott Williams and Hadleigh Parkes.”
Watkin made his Wales debut as a replacement against Australia in November, started the turgid win over Georgia and came off the bench in the Six Nations victory over Scotland.
“Since I was four or five I’ve been watching the Six Nations on TV, so it’s a bit surreal to be playing in it,” he said.
“We will be approaching Italy as we would any team, even though they may not be the strongest. We have to prepare for this game in the same way as we would were we facing Ireland or England.”