Muscular debutant can aid Glasgow Warriors’ double-barrelled glory bid

Pacy, muscular and able to break a tackle, the 20-year-old from Biggar seized his opportunity with both hands and could yet have a significant role to play in the season's run-in as his club chase glory on two fronts.

Top of the United Rugby Championship and through to the round of 16 in the Champions Cup where they have a home pathway, Glasgow are well placed to make this their most memorable campaign.

Nothing is won in March, of course, and there are plenty of hazardous obstacles to come but under Smith’s canny stewardship the squad are doing their utmost to ensure the tougher tasks that lie ahead will take place on home turf.

The Warriors head coach has been drip-feeding his Scotland internationals back into the side after a gruelling Six Nations. Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones were the latest big names to return but it was Watson who stole the show in the 31-10 victory over Benetton

Learning from the best

At 20, the winger is far from the finished article but there is plenty of raw material to work with. He finished his try impressively and a few minutes later embarked on a pinballing run which led indirectly to a score from Max Williamson.

“I just kind of bounced off a couple of guys and I thought I was through,” said Watson. “And then the next thing, somebody jumped on my back. I took a mouthful of the crumb off the astroturf but we eventually scored from it, so can't complain.”

His friend and team-mate Johnny Ventisei made his debut the previous week against Leinster, with Smith identifying the pair as ready to make the step up.

“He's class,” Watson said of his coach. “I would describe him as hard but fair. And if you're training well, like Johnny (Ventesi)... Jonny's been training unbelievably and he got his opportunity against a pretty stacked Leinster back line. And it gives us young boys confidence and it's almost like that extra bit to go and push yourself at training, which again, just lifts the training standards, because everyone's trying to fight for that spot on the team.”

Watson has Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie, Kyle Rowe and Ollie Smith ahead of him in the queue for wing positions but is learning plenty from the quartet of Scotland internationals. And with Steyn and Dobie currently injured, there could be more opportunities to come.

“They're some of the best in the world at what they do,” acknowledged Watson. “And to be exposed to that every day is so good. Steyn’s ability in the air, it’s just so good to learn from him and try to watch as much as I can. Take as many tips as possible.”

The young winger had family and friends watching him at Scotstoun on Friday, including his grandfather Bill Watson who was capped 10 times by Scotland in the 1970s and went on to be chief executive of the SRU. Another good role model for the latest talent off the Warriors production line.