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 20 July 2008 11:24 BST

Gloucester to sign Scarlets centre Watkins

Monday, 12 May 2008 17:35
Gloucester agree deal to sign Wales centre Matthew J Watkins
Llanelli Scarlets and Wales centre Matthew J Watkins has agreed a deal to sign for Guinness Premiership side Gloucester this summer.

The 29-year-old, who has 18 international caps, has signed a two-year deal to play for the Kingsholm outfit in 2008/09 and 2009/10.

The news is something of a surprise given that Watkins is still midway through a three-year deal he signed with Llanelli in 2006 – a club he joined six years ago.

But he said the opportunity to play for a club of Gloucester's stature was too good to turn down.

"I would like to thank everyone at Llanelli for their help and support during my time at Stradey Park. They are a fantastic club and I wish them every success in the future," he said.

"When the opportunity arose for me to meet with [Gloucester head coach] Dean Ryan and look at the setup in place at Gloucester and their outstanding training facilities at Hartpury College, I knew it was simply too good to refuse.

"When you talk of massive clubs in England and Europe, Gloucester are right up there and I am very fortunate that I now have the opportunity to test myself with them."

Watkins said the ability to challenge for major honours with Gloucester was one of the main reasons he had chosen to move, describing it as "a fantastic opportunity to take my career in a new and fresh direction".

Watkins is the latest new recruit to pledge his future to Gloucester following the arrival of England international Olly Barkley from Bath.

And Ryan said the signing of "a top-class outside centre" like Watkins would "bring experience, big-game expertise and first-class attitude to our squad".

"We believe his addition to the squad will greatly enhance our options and build further on a group that is progressing really well," the coach continued.

"At Gloucester we are promoting an environment where players have to fight for their places and Matthew's addition emphasises that.

"I am really pleased he has decided to join us because he was in demand by a number of clubs and for him to choose Gloucester affirms the direction in which we are heading."End of story


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