WELSH centre Matthew Watkins could be on his way out of Kingsholm after his agent was given permission to talk to Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Wales international has opened negotiations with the Magners League side, who Gloucester face in the Heineken Cup next season.

Watkins spent most of last season playing out of position on the wing at Kingsholm.

It was clear the now departed head coach, Dean Ryan, felt he could trust the man who join from the Scarlets on a two-year-deal last summer.

He was never first choice if other players were fit, but given the injury crisis that gripped Kingsholm, Watkins was used by Ryan as a problem solver.

The Watkins signing was seen by many as a strange one because of the depth of talent available at centre.

Fans would much rather have seen an up and coming youngster of the ilk of Jack Adams given more game time.

But Watkins remains at Kingsholm and will be at the club next season if the Dragons talks do not go anywhere.

A spokesman for Gloucester confirmed that Watkins was still under contract at Kingsholm but that his agent had been given permission to talk to the Dragons on Watkins' behalf.

Watkins, 30, started 19 times last season, coming off the bench on three occasions and scoring 10 points.

He has 18 international caps to his name – his last appearance was back in 2006.

Should he depart, Watkins would become the 14th man to leave since the end of last season, including fellow centres Adams, Anthony Allen and Olly Barkley.

Only two others have moved in the opposite direction – Seru Rabeni from Leicester and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu from Bath.

Henry Trinder, who made his first team debut last season, has also been given his first senior contract after graduating from the academy.