Rejuvenated Watkins is ready to take centre stage at Wembley

Fortunately, it appears, the elegant centre is approaching just that, garnering five tries from his last five games alone.

Most importantly, the exciting 21-year-old, who has shown vast promise ever since making his debut in 2008, seems to have shaken off the frustrating injuries which threatened to strangle all his natural skills.

After his latest knee problem endured at Magic Weekend in May – 2010 was ruined by a reconstruction – there was a concern that his career was destined to never truly get going and he could be the finest English centre never to actually play for England.

For every two steps forward, the unfortunate and brittle Watkins would take another one back.

Thankfully, he has now amassed nine consecutive matches without any blips and the results are plain to see.

It is all a far cry from this time last year when he was a huge doubt for the final against Wigan Warriors.

He lined up at Wembley but it was clear Watkins, his knee again heavily strapped, was far from his best as Leeds lost 28-18.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent,” he conceded. “I didn’t really train throughout the week – I’d hurt myself at Harlequins the Saturday before and it was really touch and go.

“I did manage to train in the last session but it was quite a risk, to be honest.

“After that, I didn’t play again until this year but it was definitely worth it, working hard and getting all the treatment from the physios to get me out there.”

Watkins did pay the price for that Wembley debut, missing the last six games of the season, including the club’s brilliant journey from fifth to Old Trafford and Super League glory.

It denied him a first Grand Final appearance but he was fit for the World Club Challenge in February, scoring in the success over Manly, and has no regrets.

“I think I’ll benefit from (Wembley) last year,” he added.

“Obviously, I’ve got more time to myself which I’m not spending in that physio room.

“I definitely feel more comfortable. I don’t feel like I’m worrying about anything. ‘Is this going to happen or that?’

“I’m just concentrating on being mentally right and being prepared.”

That should serve as a warning to Warrington. Fit and healthy, there is possibly no finer centre – perhaps even sight – in Super League.

It is a bold assertion to make but, with his delicate footwork, electric pace and a real talent for the flick pass which has rewarded winger Ben Jones-Bishop so handsomely, few would argue.

Such is his impressive rangy athleticism – he gracefully glides across the surface – it came as a surprise when team-mate Darrell Griffin likened him to legendary Australian centre Mal Meninga earlier this week, that giant of a man who always looked like he should have been picking on people his own size in the pack rather than bullying lightweight three-quarters.

“For our pre-season, I worked on trying to get on a bit of size,” conceded Watkins.

“More for strength than anything and that’s helped me at times, maybe more defensively, but in attack as well.

“That’s always going to improve – I’m always going to try and get a little bit bigger year by year. I’m still only 21 and still have time to build.”

Crucially, Watkins has now built something else. The 20 games he has played this term is more than any other campaign, and his total of 14 tries is also his best return which has given him a sense of rejuvenation.

“I’d say it’s the best I’ve ever felt,” added a player whose fascinating battle with current England centre Ryan Atkins is sure to be a highlight this afternoon.

“I feel a lot more comfortable in terms of my legs and all the niggly injuries I might get. I’ve not had any since (May) and am really happy it’s going well.

“I feel a lot better. I’ve managed to get a run of games now which I’m really happy has happened. I’m playing every week so that’s given me more confidence in playing.”

Although he emerged through Rhinos’ famed academy, Watkins does not come from the usual breeding ground of Leeds’s amateur clubs.

Born in Stretford, just a stone’s throw from Old Trafford, it is more through good luck than judgement that he was not lost to the sport that dominates that postcode.

“It’s obviously a big football area around there and my dad used to take me to United games,” he recollected.

“He literally lives a walk down the road but he’s a City supporter.

“He started taking me there, too. They were probably in Division Two back then and Shaun Goater was playing. But my dad knew a few people from work who lived in the Salford area and had their kids playing rugby so they asked me and my older brother to try it out.

“It all went from there. He took me to some of the big games, too – Wigan v Saints, Leeds v Saints but never Wembley.

“My older brother went with him to the 1995 World Cup but last year was my first time here.

“We got a bad start back then against Wigan, going 16-0 down. People probably expected that but we managed to bounce back and were pretty close to taking that game.

“Ideally we want to get a good start against Warrington and a well-controlled performance. Hopefully, we’ll do the job. We’re not thinking of anything else.”

[email protected]