David Watkins inducted into Wales Rugby League hall of fame

David Watkins has been inducted into the Wales Rugby League hall of fame.

The 76-year-old becomes the fourth Welshman to be honoured in this way and joins Billy Boston, Gus Risman and Mike Nicholas in the hall of fame.

Watkins became Salford’s record points scorer with 2,907 points in 407 games and the 1972/73 season, he kicked a world record of 221 goals in a season.

He also holds the longest scoring run record where he notched points in 92 consecutive games for Salford and he helped Salford win the league title in 1973/74 and 1975/76.

Watkins won 16 caps for Wales Rugby League and captained the side to the 1975 World Cup wins over New Zealand, France and England. He also played six times for Great Britain.

Jim Mills, Watkins’ former Wales and Great Britain team-mate, was a guest-speaker at the dinner and said Watkins fully deserved to be inducted into the Wales’ hall of fame.

He said: “Who deserves more than Dai to be in the Welsh Hall of Fame?

“He’s been a tremendous ambassador for Wales. He was a wonderful player – I played against him in both rugby union and rugby league and there was none better.

“He flew across the field and was a wonderful player. I was very lucky to play alongside him on a number of occasions.

“I think that the WRL Hall of Fame should have started many years ago, but the lads running it now are doing a great job and have got the show on the road. I’m sure that we’ll get some more great players who have played rugby league into the Hall of Fame and make it a wonderful success.”