David Watkinson


David Watkinson is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Heworth, Hull Kingston Rovers and Dewsbury as a, i.e. number 9.

Playing career

International honours

David Watkinson won a cap for England while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1979 against Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1979 against Australia, in 1980 against New Zealand, in 1981 against France, in 1984 against France, in 1985 against France, and New Zealand, and in 1986 against France, and Australia.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

David Watkinson played in Hull Kingston Rovers' 10-5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1979–80 Challenge Cup Final during the 1979–80 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1980, in front of a crowd of 95,000, played in the 9-18 defeat by Widnes in the 1980–81 Challenge Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1981, in front of a crowd of 92,496, and played in the 14–15 defeat by Castleford in the 1983–84 Challenge Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday 3 May 1986, in front of a crowd of 82,134

County Cup Final appearances

David Watkinson played in Hull Kingston Rovers' 12–29 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1984–85 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull, on Saturday 27 October 1984, and played in the 22–18 victory over Castleford in the 1984 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, on Sunday 27 October 1985.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

David Watkinson played in Hull Kingston Rovers' 26-11 victory over St. Helens in the 1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1977-78 season at Craven Park, Hull on Tuesday 13 December 1977.

John Player/John Player Special Trophy Final appearances

David Watkinson played in Hull Kingston Rovers' 4-12 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1981–82 John Player Trophy Final during the 1981–82 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1982, played in the 12-0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1984–85 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull on Saturday 26 January 1985, and played in the 8-11 defeat by Wigan in the 1985–86 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1985–86 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 11 January 1986.

Testimonial match

David Watkinson's Testimonial match at Hull Kingston Rovers took place in 1988.