2. W
ho would you rather work for, Stuart Lancaster or Jose Mourinho?
For sporting mortals, it’s just a hypothetical conundrum. But for
wing/full back Anthony Watson, it’s a realistic question.
As a youngster, Watson was invited to a trial by Chelsea. Fortunately for English
rugby, he chose rugby instead. Since then, it’s been a steady and seemingly
inexorable rise through the Red Rose ranks.
Indeed, those in search of compelling evidence that the RFU’s youth
development programme is in decent fettle need look no further than Watson.
The fleet-footed Bath player climbed through England’s U16, U18, U20 and
Saxons sides before being called into the senior squad for last year’s RBS 6 Nations.
Watson then toured New Zealand over the summer, scoring a try in the
midweek match against Canterbury-based sides The Crusaders.
His reward came in the autumn QBE Internationals when he came off the
bench to make his debut against the All Blacks before starting the next three
matches on the wing.
And who can Head Coach Lancaster thank for Watson’s decision to pursue the
oval ball to such potent effect? His big brother, Marcus, who is now a member of
the England 7s team.
“I was about 12 and Marcus was playing in the London Irish academy and going
well,” recalls Watson.
“I was always trying to compete with him as there’s always been some sibling
rivalry. I would try and outdo him, so I decided to follow him into rugby.
“At the time I was at Wimbledon’s football academy and Chelsea were interested
but I didn’t go along to the trial. I had already decided to switch over to rugby and
try to emulate my brother. My dad also pushed me towards rugby and I’ve never
looked back.”
Watson’s father, Duncan, was himself handy with a rugby ball, having played
flanker for Saracens before a serious knee ligament problem brought his rugby-
playing days to a premature end.
His dad’s injury means Watson adopts a philosophical approach for one of such
relatively tender years – he turns 21 on February 26.
“Just to be able to play each week is a privilege,” he says. “You’ve got to be
grateful and take each week as it comes.
“Dad’s been a massive influence and he still is. He’s one of the most
inspirational people in my life. To do him proud is what I try and do every week.
“He has been so supportive. But after games he doesn’t beat around the bush.
At 20, Anthony Watson has already carved out a reputation
as a devastating back-three player. Freelance journalist
TOM BRADSHAW discovers that rugby runs in the
Watson family – and that not even overtures from Chelsea
could distract him.
17
England v Italy
14th February 2015
p16-19 Watson v2.indd 3 09/02/2015 11:19
3. terms of playing with different people.
“To be involved in the sort of
environment that we had for the
Junior World Championship was
a great preparation for a senior
international series.”
That preparation was
deepened a year ago when
Watson was introduced to
life with the England squad
by taking part in training
throughout the RBS 6 Nations.
“It was great to be involved
and get a sense of what it was
all about,” he says. “It’s meant
I’ve come into it this year in a
completely different way.
“When I first joined the
international set-up I was nervous and
didn’t know many of the lads. Now I don’t have to
worry about that – I can just look forward to getting
out on the field and training.
“There is probably more competition at wing
now than there has been for a very long time. The
strength of the wingers in the England squad is
shown by the quality of those who haven’t been
included – people like Marland Yarde and David
Strettle. That sort of strength is only going to be
good for the country.”
Watson describes the four caps he picked up in
the autumn as a “confidence boost”, but says much
of his inner belief derives from the coaching he has
received at Bath.
Kent-born Watson made the move to the West
Country from London Irish in 2013, and has been a
18 facebook.com/officialenglandrugby twitter.com/official_rfu youtube/officialrfutv
He tells me how it is and that’s a great characteristic.
My whole life he’s tried to make me better.”
Much has been expected of Watson from an early
age. His searing pace and athleticism resulted in
him being shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports
Personality of the Year Award in 2011 but, rather like
his Bath and England teammate, George Ford, he has
not allowed the tag of ‘prodigy’ to affect him.
Instead, he has grafted his way to the top of the
pyramid, alternating between wing and full back
along the way. He rounded off his age-group
rugby in sensational fashion, helping England
win both the IRB Junior World Championship
and the U20 Six Nations in 2013.
“It is a huge bonus to have played for the
different England age groups,” he explains. “If
you look at the number of players who have
come through the U20s team, it shows you what a
good pathway it is.
“Going from club rugby to international rugby is
a huge jump, but playing with the U20s stands you
in good stead and has improved my adaptability in
“I was at Wimbledon’s football
academy and Chelsea were
interested but I didn’t go along
to the trial. I had already decided
to switch over to rugby and try to
emulate my brother. My dad also
pushed me towards rugby and
I’ve never looked back.”
Anthony Watson
for England U18
in 2011
Brothers – Anthony
with Marcus Watson
p16-19 Watson v2.indd 4 09/02/2015 11:19
4. “It is a huge bonus to have played
for the different England age
groups. If you look at the number
of players who have come through
the U20s team, it shows you what
a good pathway it is.”
Anthony Watson
central figure in Bath’s renaissance as a European
force this season.
“Moving to Bath was probably the thing that had
the single biggest impact on my development,” he
says. “There are some unbelievably good coaches and
players to learn from.
“Everybody at the club shares the ambition of
getting better and it’s great to see so many of the
Bath boys in the England set-up.
“At the club, we just want to get better as
individuals and it’s turning out to be beneficial for
the national team.”
With his younger brother Callum also having
played age-grade rugby for England, Watson is
part of a budding rugby dynasty.
But not every member of his family is watching
his every move.
“At matches my mum is usually there with her
hands over her face, hoping I don’t get injured,”
he says.
“I would probably be playing tennis if it was
up to her!”
19
Watson’s Choice
Watson for England during
the QBE International against
Samoa last November
p16-19 Watson v2.indd 5 09/02/2015 11:19
