Kallum Watkins

Early days

Watkins began his rugby league career at his local club Folly Lane (Pendlebury) before moving on to Salford Junior Academy. In 2007, after impressing in a trial at Leeds he signed a junior contract with the club.

2007: Leeds Academy & England Under 17s

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. Kallum made his début for England U17s against the Australian Institute of Sport as a substitute in the first test at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium. England were unlucky losers that night, 28-26, having led for the majority of the game however a week later Kallum, helped the young Lions restore pride with a 38-22 win at Wakefield Trinity's Belle Vue

2008: First grade debut

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 at the Millennium Magic weekend.

2009: More game time

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.

2010: Knee reconstruction

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 centre, winger and fullback 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.

2011: Another bad injury

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. Later that year he played at centre for Leeds in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final which was lost to Wigan.

2012: future secured

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

Watkins scored the opening try in Leeds' 26–12 2012 World Club Challenge win over National Rugby League premiers Manly Sea Eagles on 17 February at Headingly.

2012

Kallum 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.

2013

In October and November, Kallum played for England in their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. He played in all 5 of England's matches, scoring two tries.

2014

In October, England traveled down under to play in the Four Nations. Kallum scored two tries in England's 3 tournament matches.

2015

In October Kallum was named in England's 24-man squad for their test-series against New Zealand. Before the series began England took on France in a test match at Leigh. Kallum scored his 9th career try in England's rout of their opponents.

2016

In October, Kallum 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.

Honours

Grand Final: 5

League Leaders Shield: 2

Challenge Cup: 2

World Club Challenge: 1