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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". On 7 March 2020, it was announced that Watkins had died at the age of 41.
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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
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335:. He was commonly known by the name Matthew J. Watkins to avoid confusion with another Welsh rugby union player of the same name.
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in 1997. After scoring 35 tries (175 points) in 121 appearances over five seasons with the club, Watkins was signed by
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By 2007, he had become only the third player to reach 100 appearances for the region, following lock
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on a two-year contract. He was released at the end of the 2010–11 season and retired soon after.
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at the end of the 2007–08 season, midway through a three-year contract with the
Scarlets.
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several times during his spell with the
Scarlets, earning 18 caps between 2003 and 2006.
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This article is about the rugby union player. For the ice hockey player, see
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327:(2 September 1978 – 7 March 2020) was a Welsh professional
500:"Matthew J Watkins: Ex-Wales centre dies at the age of 41"
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614:People educated at Oakdale Comprehensive School
362:regional side. He was also called up to the
584:Wales international rugby union players
569:Rugby union players from Newport, Wales
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342:, Watkins began his rugby career with
16:Welsh rugby union player (1978–2020)
474:"Tough Challenge Ahead For Matthew"
436:"Gloucester sign Scarlets' Watkins"
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95:95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
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87:1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
480:. Welsh Rugby Union. 20 May 2013
350:before going professional with
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534:Newport Gwent Dragons profile
416:. The Scarlets. 28 April 2007
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104:Oakdale Comprehensive School
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410:"Watkins reaches milestone"
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461:Dragons Bring Watkins Home
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579:Welsh rugby union players
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604:Gloucester Rugby players
463:newportgwentdragons.com
331:player who played as a
386:Newport Gwent Dragons
377:. Watkins signed for
325:Matthew Jason Watkins
245:Newport Gwent Dragons
42:Matthew Jason Watkins
594:Llanelli RFC players
273:International career
609:Dragons RFC players
589:Newport RFC players
574:Rugby union centres
544:Newport RFC profile
364:Wales national team
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539:Gloucester profile
442:. BBC. 12 May 2008
110:Rugby union career
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360:Llanelli Scarlets
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33:Matthew Watkins
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523:External links
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506:. 7 March 2020
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79:(aged 41)
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62:Place of birth
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529:Wales profile
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150:Senior career
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508:. Retrieved
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131:Youth career
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77:(2020-03-07)
75:7 March 2020
28:Rugby player
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21:Matt Watkins
564:2020 deaths
559:1978 births
420:11 February
375:John Davies
329:rugby union
120:Position(s)
553:Categories
396:References
379:Gloucester
371:Adam Jones
229:Gloucester
53:1978-09-02
504:BBC Sport
478:wru.co.uk
440:BBC Sport
373:and prop
344:Newbridge
300:2003–2006
257:2009–2011
241:2009–2011
225:2008–2009
209:2003–2008
193:2002–2003
177:1997–2002
137:Newbridge
39:Full name
356:Llanelli
338:Born in
294:(Points)
197:Llanelli
171:(Points)
510:7 March
352:Newport
340:Newport
261:Newport
181:Newport
484:20 May
446:12 May
333:centre
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125:Centre
100:School
92:Weight
84:Height
304:Wales
279:Years
220:(169)
188:(175)
156:Years
512:2020
486:2013
448:2008
422:2014
346:and
289:Apps
284:Team
236:(10)
204:(50)
166:Apps
161:Team
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.