DAVID Watkins was one of the finest players ever to play at outside-half for Newport, distinguishing himself for Wales and the Lions as well, but he believes the latest player to wear the coveted jersey at Rodney Parade could go all the way.

Jason Tovey has been included in Wales’ enlarged 45-man World Cup training squad as one of four outside-halves alongside James Hook, Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland (though Hook could play in the centre).

Watkins gives the 21-year-old his seal of approval, saying: “He is a very confident player, he kicks and runs well and he thinks about the game as well.

“It’s more that type of game now, whereas in my day you played more off the cuff, but Jason is tactically very sound and a very competent player. I hope he makes the World Cup and I wish him all the best.”

Watkins is currently witnessing the biggest transformation of Rodney Parade in its near-150-year history, with a big 2,700-seater stand being built, complete with a hospitality suite for 300, a members’ lounge for 150 and 13 hospitality boxes.

“It’s changing massively, I can’t imagine how 25,000 were in there when Newport beat the All Blacks in 1963 (Watkins an inspirational figure). I wondered how on earth they would all fit into the ground,” he said.

“But Martyn Hazell, with the help of Tony Brown, has done a great job and without people like them you wouldn’t get these things. They have pushed things forward and we are fortunate to have them.

“You’ve got to accept it and take the club forward. It’s the modern game, we are now catching up here, and as much as Newport meant to me and playing against the All Blacks, when I went to Salford you could see the modern way then with its social side as well.

“It is always delicate, but intimidation is a part of the game, like going to the Gnoll in my day. At Rodney Parade there’s a much better crowd atmosphere with the stand on top of you than other grounds where it’s not as intimidating.”

On the national front, Watkins believes it’s sad that Wales can’t have one of their own as coach after a succession of New Zealanders, Mike Ruddock being a notable exception – and he’s now in charge of Ireland Under-20s.

“I find it strange that when we regard ourselves as a rugby-playing nation we don’t have any coaches who are good enough to take us forward,” he said.

“Ireland know the way they want to play and they have Irish coaches, but we can’t seem to do it, apart from Mike, who was very successful.

“I don’t want to sit on a high chair and criticise Warren Gatland, though he’s got to stand or fall by the judgements he makes, I just find it rather strange that we always have to look elsewhere.

“It’s a professional game, people are getting well paid and everyone insists on results. If Wales develop a winning side there will be little people can criticise, I’d love it if Wales could get to the final of the World Cup.”