27-year-old Watkin has been in impressive form for the Ospreys this season as the Welsh Region have progressed in Europe and stands within the top eight of the United Rugby Championship standings.
Having not featured for his country since the surprise defeat to Georgia in 2022, the Bridgend-born centre is ready to take his chance after the shoulder injury to club teammate George North has led to Watkin being promoted to starter within Warren Gatland’s XV.
Watkin has 36 caps to his name so is no stranger to the international fold, however, this is the first time he has been involved in a Gatland squad since the Kiwi returned for his second stint in charge of Wales.
Having fallen behind the likes of Jonny Williams and Cardiff’s Mason Grady in the pecking order it had looked like Watkin was to be left in the international wilderness. His club form though has been rewarded and now he will start alongside Saracens Nick Tompkins in midfield at the Principality Stadium against the Scots.
With Williams out of contention in particular serving a six-week suspension for a dangerous play in the Scarlets European Challenge Cup loss to Clermont Watkin is determined to take his chance.
“Being left out of the training squad [for the World Cup] was really heartbreaking and massively disappointing for me,” said Watkin.
“I think setbacks like that can motivate you even more. I didn’t let it get the better of me.
“I knew I had to put more work in, stay injury-free and just create that momentum. I feel confident at the minute, I feel like my game is going well.
“I am probably being a bit braver with things I am trying, I am probably not just going through the motions.
“I am enjoying my rugby at the Ospreys, we are scoring some nice tries and winning some really tough games. I want to bring that momentum from there and try and implement it with Wales.
“We know that they [Scotland] are a great team, they can turn it on when they are on their day and we know it is going to be a huge physical battle out there.
“It is going to be high intensity but we just need to focus on ourselves and control what we can control.
“We want to play rugby, but you have obviously got to play in the right areas.
“You can’t go playing from anywhere, against a team like Scotland as well as they will punish you.
“It’s just being sensible where you play from, but when we get the opportunities we are going to look to play.”
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
