Watkin extends Ospreys stay

Ospreys Rugby have announced that Owen Watkin has re-signed with the region this month.

The 21-year old from Bridgend has signed a new two-year contract that ties him to the Ospreys until at least summer 2020.

One the brightest prospects in Welsh rugby, Watkin has already played 24 times for his home region, scoring three tries, and won his first senior Wales caps in November.

Watkin came through the regional development pathway via Bryncethin RFC, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, Bridgend College and the Ospreys age-grade set-up. A WRU U18 title winner in 2015 alongside the likes of Keelan Giles and Will Jones, he was capped by Wales U18 and U20 level, winning a Grand Slam the following year.

He made his senior Ospreys debut in September 2015, catching the eye in an 18-20 Liberty Stadium defeat to Munster, with his Champions Cup debut coming four months later away to Exeter Chiefs, as he totalled 13 appearances in his first season.

Having sat out the following campaign through injury Watkin has underlined his potential during this campaign, featuring regularly in midfield, including starts in all six of the region’s Champions Cup matches. His total of 13 defenders beaten in the Round 6 game against Clermont Auvergne equaled the all-time competition best, his total of 28 across the pool stages the second highest tally of the season.

Called up by Warren Gatland ahead of the autumn internationals in November, Watkin was handed a first senior cap off the bench against Australia, starting against Georgia a week later. Earlier this month he was named in a Six Nations squad for the first time and reported for duty at the Vale on Monday.