Stuart John Watkins was born in Newport on 5 June 1941 and educated at Caerleon Secondary School. He worked as a sales representative. A big wing at 6'2", he began his club career at Cross Keys and ended it at Cardiff but is chiefly associated with Newport for whom he scored 115 tries in 162 appearances. He later became Newport's first team manager. He gained 26 caps for Wales between 1964 and 1970 and scored nine tries. He also toured South Africa in 1964 and New Zealand, Australia and Fiji in 1969 with Wales. In 1966 he played in three tests for the British Isles against Australia and New Zealand and finished the tour with five tries in 14 appearances. Stuart Watkins played for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1964 and Australia in 1967, both at Cardiff Arms Park.