Matthew Jason Watkins (2 September 1978 – 7 March 2020) was a Welsh professional rugby union player who played as a centre.
He was commonly known by the name Matthew J. Watkins to avoid confusion with another Welsh rugby union player of the same name.
By 2007, he had become only the third player to reach 100 appearances for the region, following lock Adam Jones and prop John Davies.
[2] 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 Newport Gwent Dragons on a two-year contract.
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".