Kallum Watkins
Encyclopedia
Kallum Watkins is an English
professional Rugby League
player for the Leeds Rhinos
. He can play as a centre, a winger or a fullback.
Watkins began his career in the Salford City Reds
Junior Academy, before signing for the Leeds Rhinos
in 2007, after impressing during a trial.
In his first season in the Rhinos Academy, he scored 13 tries in 20 appearances as the side went on to win the Academy Grand Final, 26-16 against St Helens.
His good form earned him a place in the England U17 squad to play two matches against the Australian Institute of Sport side.
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 Tigers
.
His form saw him promoted to the Rhinos first team squad in April 2008, at just sixteen years of age, for his debut against, the then, Celtic Crusaders in the Challenge Cup
. He scored a try & went on to make 4 further appearances in 2008, scoring 2 further tries, most notably against Bradford Bulls
at the Millennium Magic
weekend.
He made 13 appearances in 2009 & scored 4 tries, including a spectacular length of the field interception try at Headingley
to beat Huddersfield Giants
.
2010 was a frustrating season for Watkins. After making a great start to the season, where he started the World Club Challenge
defeat to Melbourne Storm
, he was forced to have knee reconstruction only six games in to the season.
He has started 2011 brilliantly, scoring 8 tries in the opening 9 games.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional Rugby League
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player for the Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
. He can play as a centre, a winger or a fullback.
Watkins began his career in the Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
Junior Academy, before signing for the Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
in 2007, after impressing during a trial.
In his first season in the Rhinos Academy, he scored 13 tries in 20 appearances as the side went on to win the Academy Grand Final, 26-16 against St Helens.
His good form earned him a place in the England U17 squad to play two matches against the Australian Institute of Sport side.
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
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
in the first game of the season & four tries a week later against Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
.
His form saw him promoted to the Rhinos first team squad in April 2008, at just sixteen years of age, for his debut against, the then, Celtic Crusaders in the Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
. He scored a try & went on to make 4 further appearances in 2008, scoring 2 further tries, most notably against Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
at the Millennium Magic
Magic Weekend
The Magic Weekend, previously Millennium Magic, is a concept by the Rugby Football League to stage an entire round of Super League matches in prestigious and exciting cities to showcase the sport....
weekend.
He made 13 appearances in 2009 & scored 4 tries, including a spectacular length of the field interception try at Headingley
Headingley Stadium
Headingley Stadium is a sporting complex in the Leeds suburb of Headingley in West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league team Leeds Rhinos and rugby union team Leeds Carnegie ....
to beat Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
.
2010 was a frustrating season for Watkins. After making a great start to the season, where he started the World Club Challenge
World Club Challenge
The World Club Challenge is an annual rugby league football match held between the champions of the Australasian National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions to determine the world's best rugby league club...
defeat to Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
, he was forced to have knee reconstruction only six games in to the season.
He has started 2011 brilliantly, scoring 8 tries in the opening 9 games.