Kallum Watkins
{{short description|England international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Kallum Watkins
|fullname = Kallum Paul Watkins{{cite web|title=Player Profile|url=https://www.therhinos.co.uk/player?PlayGuid=KW806310|publisher=Leeds Rhinos|access-date=5 December 2017}}
|image = Kallum Watkins 2019.jpg
|image_size =
|position = {{rlp|CE|SR}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|3|12|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Salford, Greater Manchester, England
|height = {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url= http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/3111|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130911074135/http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/3111|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2013-09-11|title= Kallum Watkins Leeds Rhinos|author=|date=2015|website= Superleague.co.uk|publisher= Rugby Football League|access-date=18 July 2015}}
|weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
|club1 = Leeds Rhinos
|year1start = 2007
|year1end = 19
|appearances1 = 259
|tries1 = 132
|goals1 = 101
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 730
|club2 = {{nowrap|Gold Coast Titans}}
|year2start = 2019
|year2end = 20
|appearances2 = 8
|tries2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 0
|club3 = {{nowrap|Salford Red Devils}}
|year3start = 2020
|year3end = 25
|appearances3 = 96
|tries3 = 28
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 112
|club4 = {{nowrap|Leeds Rhinos}}
|year4start = 2025
|year4end = present
|appearances4 = 0
|tries4 = 1
|goals4 = 0
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 4
|teamA = England
|yearAstart = 2012
|yearAend = 22
|appearancesA = 29
|triesA = 15
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 60
|retired = no
|source = {{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Kallum-Watkins|title=Profile at loverugbyleague.com|publisher=loverugbyleague.com|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/kallum-watkins/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Watkins&submit=Go&c=England|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{Rugby league records|title=Kallum Watkins|id=944|access-date=11 October 2022}}
|updated = 30 March 2025
}}
Kallum Paul Watkins (born 12 March 1991) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|ce}} or {{rlp|sr}} forward for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League and England at international level.
He previously played for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League and the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL. Watkins was contracted to the Toronto Wolfpack in the Super League, but did not play for them. Watkins joined Salford Red Devils in 2020, and returned to Leeds Rhinos in 2025.
Early life
Watkins was born in Manchester, England to a Jamaican mother and a British father. Watkins began his rugby league career at his local club Langworthy Reds (Salford) before moving on to Salford Junior Academy. In 2007, after impressing in a trial at Leeds he signed a junior contract with the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.therhinos.co.uk/rugby/players/first_team.php?player=81958&includeref=dynamic|access-date=1 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809125615/http://www.therhinos.co.uk/rugby/players/first_team.php?player=81958&includeref=dynamic|archive-date=9 August 2011|title=Players & Coaches: 1st Team: Kallum Watkins|publisher=Leeds Rhinos }}
Watkins has earned representative honours for the England Under 17s team against the AIS.
Club career
=Leeds=
Kallum joined Leeds in 2007, having impressed during a trial period. In that first season with the Junior Academy he scored 13 tries in 20 appearances as they headed for Grand Final glory, where he scored the opening try in Leeds 26–16 win over St. Helens, and earned himself a place in the England U17 squad to play the AIS. His England U17s début was as a substitute in the first test against the Australian Institute of Sport at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium. England lost 28–26, but Kallum helped the young Lions restore pride a week later with a 38–22 win at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Belle Vue.
He began 2008 in spectacular form for the Academy, scoring 11 tries in the opening five games of the season, including a hattrick against Hull Kingston Rovers in the first game of the season & four tries a week later against Castleford. His form saw him promoted to the Leeds first Grade squad in April 2008 at just sixteen years of age. He made his début against the then Celtic Crusaders in the Challenge Cup, scoring a try. He went on to make 4 further appearances in 2008 scoring 2 further tries, most notably against Bradford Bulls at the Millennium Magic weekend.
File:Kallum Watkins.jpg in 2009]]
In 2009, Watkins became a more regular name on the Leeds team sheet. He made 13 appearances in all scoring 4 tries, including a spectacular length of the field interception try late on to beat Huddersfield at Headingley 20–12.[http://therhinos.co.uk/rugby/7421.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408110205/http://therhinos.co.uk/rugby/7421.php|date=8 April 2010}}
2010 started with so much promise for the 18-year-old Watkins, starting in the Leeds first 6 games which included an appearance on the wing in the World Club Challenge defeat by the Melbourne Storm. Watkins started at {{rlp|fb|wg}}, and {{rlp|ce}} in the 6 game stretch due to injuries to teammates, however, on 14 March he injured his knee in the 26–20 defeat by Huddersfield, and had to have a knee reconstruction. Watkins did not play again that season.[http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=16941]{{dead link|date=November 2015}}
At the start of the 2011 season he was mainly used on the wing scoring 9 tries in 8 games including 4 against Wakefield Trinity. On 29 April 2011, while playing against Castleford in Leeds' 48–6 win, Watkins injured the ligaments in his wrist which saw him miss the next 12 weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.superleaguefans.com/leeds-rhinos/2011/04/30/kallum-watkins-out-for-12-weeks.html|title=Kallum Watkins out for 12 weeks - Leeds Rhinos Rugby League News|publisher=Superleaguefans.com|date=2011-04-30|access-date=2015-11-02}}
Later that year he played at centre for Leeds in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Ged|title=Leeds 18-28 Wigan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/14670204|access-date=21 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2011}}{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/27/leeds-rhinos-wigan-warriors-challenge-cup | location=London | work=The Guardian| first=Andy | last=Wilson | title=Leeds Rhinos 18-28 Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup final match report | date=27 August 2011}}
Watkins was given a boost after 2 injury-ravaged seasons when he was handed the Number 3 Jersey by the Leeds Head Coach Brian McDermott. This signalled the intent that the coach sees him as the long term right centre at Leeds. Kallum also signed a new 5-year contract on 26 January, keeping him at Leeds until 2017 at the earliest{{cite web|url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_6920-new-five-year-deal-for-watkins.html|title=New five-year deal for Watkins|publisher=Loverugbyleague.com|date=2012-01-26|access-date=2015-11-02}}
He played in the 2012 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/25/leeds-warrington-challenge-cup |title=Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final|date=25 August 2012|work=The Guardian UK|access-date=20 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19362692|title=Leeds Rhinos 18–35 Warrington Wolves|date=25 August 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 November 2019}}
He played in the 2012 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.{{cite news|title=Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19805055|access-date=20 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2012}}{{cite web |date=6 October 2012 |title=Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/oct/06/warrington-leeds-grand-final |access-date=20 November 2019 |work=The Guardian}}
File:Kallum Watkins 1.jpg in 2013]]
He played in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Castleford Tigers at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/23/catleford-leeds-challenge-cup-final-match-report|title=Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford|work=The Guardian|date=23 August 2014|access-date=13 November 2019}}
He played in the 2015 Challenge Cup Final victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/29/leeds-emphatically-shut-out-hull-kr-to-win-challenge-cup|title=Leeds emphatically shut out Hull KR to lift Challenge Cup|work=The Guardian|date=29 August 2015|access-date=8 November 2019}}{{cite news |title=Scoreboard |newspaper=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |issue=2982 |date=31 August 2015 |page=31}}{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/34086760 |title=Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 0-50 Leeds Rhinos
|work=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2015 |access-date=29 August 2015}}
He played in the 2015 Super League Grand Final victory over the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/10/leeds-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final|work=The Guardian|date=10 October 2015|access-date=7 November 2019}}
File:Kallum Watkins Leeds Rhinos.jpg
Watkins played in Leeds' 24–6 2017 Super League Grand Final victory over Castleford at Old Trafford. It was his sixth premiership victory as a player with Leeds.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/oct/07/castleford-v-leeds-grand-final-2017-live-super-league-rugby/|title=Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened|website=The Guardian|date=7 October 2017 |last1=Ostlere |first1=Lawrence }}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/oct/07/castleford-v-leeds-grand-final-2017-live-super-league-rugby?page=with:block-59d9128de4b00593b4d67a05#liveblog-navigation|title=Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened|work=The Guardian|date=7 October 2017|access-date=5 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/41536394|title=Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos|date=7 October 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=9 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/07/castleford-leeds-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford|date=7 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 October 2017}}
In January 2018, Watkins was named by Leeds as their captain for the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2018/01/17/burrow-ready-coaching-baptism|title=Burrow ready for coaching baptism|publisher=Leeds Rhinos|date=17 January 2018|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120053426/https://www.therhinos.co.uk/2018/01/17/burrow-ready-coaching-baptism/|archive-date=20 January 2018}}
=Gold Coast=
In 2019, Watkins signed a contract to join NRL side the Gold Coast Titans. Watkins made his debut for the Gold Coast against Brisbane in Round 19 of the 2019 NRL season which ended in a 34–12 loss at Cbus Super Stadium. Watkins had two assists in the match. The following week, Watkins played for the Gold Coast against the Sydney Roosters as the club suffered its second-worst defeat since entering the competition losing 58–6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/04/brett-morris-racks-up-try-150-as-roosters-outclass-titans/|title=Horror show for Holbrook as Roosters run riot|website=NRL|date=4 August 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/09/lessons-from-leeds-watkins-on-whats-missing-at-the-titans/|title=Watkins on what's missing at the Titans|website=NRL|date=9 August 2019 }}
Watkins made a total of 6 appearances in his first season in the NRL as the Gold Coast finished last on the table and claimed the wooden spoon.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2019-melbourne-storm-defeat-gold-coast-titans-after-scare/news-story/8b111ca8f928e7f74c956e68be0394ed/|title=Melbourne Storm defeat Gold Coast Titans after scare|website=News.com.au}}
In April 2020, it was announced that Watkins had quit the NRL to fly home back to England to be with his sick father.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/52337310/|title=Kallum Watkins quits NRL side Gold Coast Titans after father contracts coronavirus|work=BBC Sport }}
=Toronto=
On 22 May 2020, it was announced that Watkins had signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Wolfpack in the Super League.{{Cite web|title=Wolfpack confirm Watkins signing|url=https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/1409/wolfpack-confirm-watkins-signing|website=www.superleague.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-24}}
=Salford=
On 17 October 2020, Watkins played in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final defeat for Salford against Leeds at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/54555957/|title=Leeds beat Salford 17-16 after Luke Gale lands late winning drop-goal|work=BBC Sport }}
In round 21 of the 2022 Betfred Super League season, Watkins scored two tries for Salford in a 44-12 upset victory over St Helens RFC.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12207/12663029/super-league-salford-red-devils-stun-st-helens-as-they-storm-to-victory-with-eight-try-blitz/|title=Super League: Salford Red Devils stun St Helens as they storm to victory with eight-try blitz|website=www.skysports.com}}
In round 24 of the 2022 season, Watkins scored two tries for Salford in an upset victory over Catalans at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/salford-ready-to-be-a-serious-threat-in-the-play-offs-says-paul-rowley/|title=Salford ready to be a 'serious threat' in the play-offs says Paul Rowley|website=www.loverugbyleague.com|date=22 August 2022 }}
In the 2023 Super League season, Sio played 23 matches for Salford and as the club finished 7th on the table and missed the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2023/10/02/salford-red-devils-2023-season-in-review/|title=Salford Red Devils' 2023 season in review|website=www.salfordnow.co.uk|date=2 October 2023 }}
=Leeds Rhinos return=
On 9 April 2025 it was reported that he had returned to Leeds Rhinos on a deal until the end of the 2025 season{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=9 Apr 2025|author=Aaron Bower|title=Kallum Watkins’ Leeds Rhinos role explained as Brad Arthur shares plans|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/kallum-watkins-leeds-rhinos-role-explained-as-brad-arthur-shares-plans}}
International career
Watkins made his International début for England in the 2012 Autumn International Series. He scored a try on début against Wales. He went on to score a total try tally of 4 tries in England's 3 tournament matches.
In October and November, Watkins played for England in their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. He played in all 5 of England's matches, scoring two tries.
In October, England travelled down under to play in the Four Nations. Kallum scored two tries in England's 3 tournament matches.
In October Watkins was named in England's 24-man squad for their test-series against New Zealand.{{cite news
| title = MCNAMARA NAMES 24-MAN SQUAD FOR 2015 INTERNATIONAL SERIES
| publisher = englandrl.co.uk
| date = 2015-10-11
| url = http://www.englandrl.co.uk/article/47305/mcnamara-names-24-man-squad-for
| access-date = 2015-10-24}} Before the series began England took on France in a [http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/live/match-report/43791/england-v-france test match] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026223631/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/live/match-report/43791/england-v-france |date=26 October 2015 }} at Leigh. Kallum scored his 9th career try in England's rout of their opponents.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/live/match/43791/report|title=England demolish France 84-4 in record win|publisher=Skysports.com|access-date=24 October 2015}}
In October, Watkins was named in England's 24-man squad for the 2016 Four Nations. Before the tournament began, Kallum played in England's test match against France.
File:Kallum Watkins England.jpg
In October 2017 he was selected in the England squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/james-roby-back-fold-wayne-11312505|title=England rugby league World Cup squad revealed - and James Roby is back in the fold|work=The Mirror|date=9 October 2017|access-date=30 October 2019}}
Watkins was selected by England for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. He played in all five of England's matches at the tournament including the semi-final loss to Samoa where he made a number of defensive errors which lead to Samoan tries. Watkins also lost the ball over the line during the first half which cost England a try scoring opportunity.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2022/nov/12/england-samoa-rugby-league-world-cup-semi-final-live/|title=England 26-27 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup semi-final – as it happened|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 November 2022 |last1=Unwin |first1=Will }}
In October 2022 Watkins was named in the England squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021]
Honours
=Leeds=
- Super League (6): 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017
- League Leaders Shield (2): 2009, 2015
- Challenge Cup (2): 2014, 2015
- World Club Challenge (1): 2012
::Runners up (1): 2013, 2017
=Salford=
::Runners up (1): 2020
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.titans.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/gold-coast-titans/kallum-watkins/ Gold Coast Titans profile]
- [https://www.therhinos.co.uk/player?PlayGuid=KW806310 Leeds Rhinos profile]
- [http://www.rugby-league.com/superleague/player-info/3111 Statistics at rugby-league.com]
- [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=379#Kallum-Watkins Statistics at rlwc2017.com]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/rugby-league-world-cup/england/kallum-watkins/ England profile]
{{Leeds Rhinos squad}}
{{Salford Red Devils Captains}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Leeds Rhinos squads
| bg=#000080
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|list1=
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2012 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{Leeds Rhinos squad - 2012 Super League champions}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2014 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2015 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Leeds Rhinos squad - 2015 Super League champions}}
{{Leeds Rhinos - 2017 Super League Grand Final winners}}
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{{Navboxes
|title= England squads
| bg=white
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|list1=
{{England 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{England 2014 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2016 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{England 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
}}
{{2014 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2015 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2017 RLWC Team of the Tournament}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Kallum}}
Category:21st-century English sportsmen
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:England national rugby league team players
Category:English expatriate rugby league players in Australia
Category:English expatriate rugby league players
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Canada
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:English people of Welsh descent
Category:English rugby league players
Category:Expatriate rugby league players in Canada
Category:Gold Coast Titans players
Category:Rugby league players from Manchester
Category:Salford Red Devils captains
Category:Salford Red Devils players