Watkins made his international début in 1963, at the age of 20, for Wales against England partnering Clive Rowlands.
In 1967 Watkins assembled his own team to enter the first ever Glengarth Sevens at Davenport Rugby Club where he won the main competition.
Watkins became Salford's record points scorer and steered them to victory in the Lancashire Cup Final in 1972 by beating Swinton at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington.
He also holds the longest scoring run record in 92 consecutive matches for Salford from 19 August 1972 to 25 April 1974.
During the 1972–73 League season Watkins played at centre and kicked two conversions in Salford's 7–12 defeat by Leeds in the Player's No.6 Trophy Final at Fartown, Huddersfield on Saturday 24 March 1973.
Watkins played right-centre and scored a try, and five conversions in Salford's 25–11 victory over Swinton in the 1972 Lancashire Cup Final at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 21 October 1972, played right-centre and scored a try, and three conversions in the 9–19 defeat by Wigan in the 1973 Lancashire Cup Final at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 13 October 1973.
[8] During the 1973 Kangaroo tour, Watkins was selected to play for Great Britain against Australia in the 3rd Ashes Test as a reserve.
In October 1974, Watkins decided to retire from rugby league,[9] but was persuaded to return by Salford three months later.
During the 1975–76 Northern Rugby Football League season Watkins played at fullback, and scored two conversions in the 7–16 defeat by Widnes in the 1975 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 4 October 1975.
He'd also played six international rugby league matches against New Zealand, Australia and France, and both captained and coached Great Britain and Wales.
During the 1978 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, Watkins was selected to captain Wales from fullback in their one-off Test match against the Australians, scoring all of the home side's points in their 3–8 loss at St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea.
[4] In the 1986 New Year Honours, Watkins was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to rugby league football.
Watkins was appointed Newport RFC team manager in 1992–93 and later became the club's chairman when he was awarded an MBE.