CONNOR Watson is well aware of the interest in him coming from rival NRL clubs but admits he’s comfortable, at least in the short term, with biding his time in reserve grade.

The Roosters utility hasn’t been able to lock down a starting position this season and last weekend even failed to get on the field despite sitting on the bench.

Languishing in NSW Cup or on the bench and unable to cement himself a starting role, Wests Tigers are one of a host of clubs keen on luring the 20-year-old to Concord but the advances were blocked by the Roosters.

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Round 19

“I think the Tigers might have said something to the club the other week,” Watson told foxsports.com.au.

“I think the club’s pretty firm on their position that they don’t want me to go.

“I’m under contract until 2018 and that’s the way I’m thinking at the moment.”

Connor Watson fills the role of hooker. Source: News Corp Australia

Named to play in seven matches this year, Watson has only stepped onto the field in five games and in several positions after securing the No.6 jersey last year.

Watson made 16 appearances in first grade last season, eight of those as the club’s first-choice five-eighth.

But following the arrival of Luke Keary from South Sydney, Watson has lost his position and while he’s willing to play the role of understudy in the interim, he admits a time will come when he’ll grow impatient.

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“Obviously it comes to a point where you have to think about yourself,” he admitted.

“I know I’m capable of being a starting first grader and being able to have a position to make my own. I’m just not too sure where that is at the moment.

“I don’t see myself as a player that’s going to be No.14 for my career. While I’m learning and young I can get experience in a lot of positions and first grade.

Connor Watson scores for the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia

“I’m only 20. It’s about upskilling and learning to compete at the first grade level but in the long-term I need to think about myself being at five-eighth or fullback.”

A Terrigal junior, Watson spent his formative years playing fullback before switching to the utility role when he joined the Roosters as a 16-year-old playing SG Ball.

At 17 he made the transition to the halves where he found a home until moving into a utility role this season.

While Watson has spent time in hooker this season, coach Trent Robinson experimented with Watson over the pre-season as a No.1, acting an understudy to Mick Gordon.

“(Robbo) wanted to see how I went there,” he said.

“With Flash at fullback and Latrell in the centres, he wanted me to be that second choice fullback if anything happened to Flash. I enjoyed it there.

“I love playing footy and love having my hands on the ball and those positions allow me to do that.”

While Watson’s best known as a running five-eighth, his teammate Gordon believes he’s seen enough of him as a custodian to know he could make the move at NRL level.

In fact, Gordon said any team considering making a play for Watson would be smart to do so if the Roosters were willing to grant an early release.

“He plays fullback and does it really well,” Gordon said.

“We did the whole pre-season working together or versing each other. I saw first-hand that he’s got all the attributes.

“He’s got plenty of speed, he’s a strong bugger, he’s fit and he’s got all the skill set. He ticks all the boxes so if I was a club I’d have a look. He’d fit in for sure.”

Michael Gordon celebrate scoring the game winning try with Connor Watson. Source: News Corp Australia

Watson is under contract with the Roosters until the end of 2018 but potentially suitors will get their chance to see him in action on Sunday.

Watson will wear jersey No.14 in the final time the representative concept known as City verses Country takes place on Sunday.

“I’ve always wanted to play for Country since I was a little kid and to do that in the last game is a massive opportunity for me,” he said.

“It’s something I didn’t expect.”