- Date of Birth26 / 02 / 1994
- Lions Tours2017, 2021
- International CapsEngland (51 caps)
- Lions Origin SchoolsSt George's School Weybridge
- Lions Origin ClubsBath Rugby, Effingham and Leatherhead, London Irish
Anthony Watson was one of Warren Gatland’s key men in South Africa on what was his second British & Irish Lions Tour.
The England winger featured in two Test matches against the Springboks, helping them to pull off an impressive come from behind win in the first Test.
It was the second series in a row Watson has played a pivotal role after starting all three Tests on the right wing during the 2017 drawn series in New Zealand.
Watson came up through the ranks with England - representing the U16 and U18 sides - and played a key part in the 2013 Junior World Championship-winning team.
A London Irish youth product before joining Bath Rugby for the 2013/2014 season, Watson’s international debut for his country came against the All Blacks in the autumn of 2014.
Since then Watson has established himself as England’s first choice on the wing – he often also lines up at full-back for his club – under both Stuart Lancaster and Eddie Jones.
His first try for his country came in Cardiff against Wales in the 2015 Six Nations and he then started all four games of England’s Pool stage exit from the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Watson was a prominent figure in England’s 2016 Grand Slam success, scoring three tries in three successive games against Ireland, Wales and France as they completed the clean sweep.
He also started all three games of their 3-0 whitewash against Australia later that summer but then injury struck, a broken jaw ruling him out of England’s autumn campaign.
Watson played the last two games of the 2017 Six Nations as England retained the title before making six appearances on his first Lions Tour, including all three of the Tests.
Continuing to terrorise defences for club and country, Watson represented England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and was part of the 2020 Six Nations and 2020 Autumn Nations Cup winning side.
While he was unable to help England retain their 2020 Six Nations crown, the he played all but four minutes of their 2021 Six Nations campaign.
And the Bath winger rounded off the 2020-2021 season by playing a key part in Gatland’s Lions Test team, while he also scored two tries in the 71-31 win against the Cell C Sharks.