"Hardest time of my rugby life"- Watkin return against Montauban huge boost for Wales' Six Nations hopes

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But the main talking point from the contest is Watkins’ return, and this will be excellent news for Wales head coach Steve Tandy.

This comes after Gloucester confirmed that Max Llewellyn will be out until the “latter part” of the season, so that Watkin may make his international return against England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Watkin last played for Wales at the Stade de France, where he suffered a knee injury in the national side's 43-0 defeat against France.

Speaking before the encounter against the Top 14 side, Watkin said: “It’s definitely made me a lot more resilient and mentally tough, knowing I’ve probably been through the hardest time of my life in terms of rugby.

The 29-year-old made his return to a side that is currently battling for survival due to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) cutting one of their four professional teams.

And days before the match in the South of France, both Ospreys stalwarts Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have been linked with a move to Gloucester. This is whilst Dan Edwards could be on his way to Leicester Tigers.

Seemingly, before kickoff, it is not the most comfortable position for Mark Jones’ side, as question marks remain over the club's future.

It was a side who headed to the new boys of the Top 14, missing Lake, Gareth Thomas, Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Rhys Davies, James Ratti and Harri Deaves.

The Welsh side started strongly, thanks to Ross Moriarty crashing over, and this was after trailing 3-0 following a penalty kick from Thomas Fortunel.

Montauban were then down to 14 men moments later as Romain Fonnicola was guilty of deliberately knocking the ball on as the Ospreys continued to build pressure on the hosts’ defence.

The visitors then found their second cross of the afternoon, and this came from a well-worked driving maul from the lineout. Another potential Six Nations hopeful, Morgan Morse, crossed over with Jack Walsh adding the extras to make the deficit 11 points.

Fullback Max Nagy showed great footwork to skip past the hosts’ defence and offload to Walsh to score, but after a TMO check, there was a definite forward pass in the build-up.

Nagy then, minutes after, found winger Keelan Giles, who crossed over in the corner, as Jones’ side remained firmly in control. But Montauban started to find their way back into the contest, and before the half-time whistle, Jeremie Maurouard scored.

Then, after 50 minutes, Watkin came on as he replaced Phil Cockanasiga, as the hosts started the second half stronger. Ryan Conbeer was sent off for ten minutes shortly following this, with Montauban looking to capitalise with the extra man advantage.

Despite the visitors showing resilience in defence, Segundo Tuculet crossed in the corner after the ball was spread out wide. Fortunel added the extras to make it a five-point game heading into the final quarter.

But soon after, the Ospreys grew their lead thanks to a cross from replacement Efan Daniels after a catch and drive. Walsh slotted the extras to move his side back into an 11-point lead despite being down to 14 men.

Then, Giles, after the hour mark, raced over, but it was chalked off due to Walsh clearly pushing Merlin Leflamand off the ball. Within the closing exchanges, Kieran Hardy crossed over as the Ospreys continued their unbeaten run despite a late score by Noa Kanika with the clock in the red.