David Watkins was something of an enigma. One of the finest of Welsh outside halves in the Union code he did not excel in the position in Rugby League, but when he switched to centre he became one of the most successful players of the post-war era.

Born in Blaina, Gwent in 1942, the son of a coal miner, David didn't play rugby until he was 15 years old. Recognition quickly followed with six Welsh Youth caps and a debut at outside half for Newport in 1961.Scoring a try in his first game, he made the position his own with 288 points in 202 appearances. He played 21 times for Wales , touring with the British Lions in 1966.

In 1967 he signed for Salford for £16,000, a very large sum at the time, playing 120 games as a standoff in the next three seasons but not showing the mastery of the position that many had expected. In 1970 the new Salford coach, Cliff Evans, moved him to centre where he was an immediate success scoring three tries in his first game. The extra time and space at centre seemed to suit him and he quickly became one of the best exponents of the position the game has seen.

In the 1970-71 season , with no previous experience he was asked to take the goal kicking role, rapidly achieving unparalleled success. In his first season he kicked 155 goals, shattering the Salford record of fellow Welshman Gus Risman. In 1971-72 he followed this with 192 goals and a World record 221 goals in 1972-73.