The 21-year-old Ospreys centre will partner Hadleigh Parkes in midfield on Sunday and is hoping to put down a marker ahead of next year’s tournament in Japan.
“I’d love to play in a World Cup and if I perform, fingers crossed I will get that opportunity,” said Watkin.
“This is my opportunity to try and show what I can do. They’ve said that the summer tour will be used to prepare us for the World Cup.
“They are going to develop players and get us youngsters ready for that stage because some of the older heads might not be about to step up then.
“When I came into the squad in the autumn I was quite young and inexperienced. It’s helped with my development and my confidence.
“I think it has benefited me massively learning from people like Scott Williams and Hadleigh who are great players. It has developed me a lot.”
Despite coming up against an Italian side who last won a Six Nations fixture in 2015, Watkin is wary of the threat they’ll pose at Principality Stadium.
“I think you can get in the habit of trying to score from your own 22 in the first few minutes,” he said.
“That might not happen so we’ve got to try and break them down and prepare for this game as if we were playing England or Ireland. Their 12 and 13 are good players while their 15 is very elusive.
“We’ve got to be aware of what they can do as well as concentrating on ourselves. I’m just pleased to get an opportunity to play because I haven’t had any game time during the campaign.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and having a run about.”
Tickets are still available to watch Wales against Italy at Principality Stadium on Sunday, March 11.
