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Wales rookie Joe Hawkins joins Exeter Chiefs

Wales Joe Hawkins in action during the Six Nations Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Rookie Wales international Joe Hawkins has been unveiled as a new signings by Exeter Chiefs.

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Talk of the signing has caused some controversy, with Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter distancing himself from the move in February, but the deal has now gone through.

The 20-year-old has been making waves in the Welsh rugby scene, impressing with his performances for the Ospreys and the Wales U20 team, before making the transition to Test rugby with the senior side. A 6′, 98kg centre, he is considered a rising star in the sport, and his move to Devon is quite a coup for the English Premiership club.

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The Welsh regions and the WRU have agreed a new six-year deal which will see the introduction of a salary cap, which has meant that contracts have been offered to players over the past number of weeks. It seems that whatever deal was offered to Hawkins by the Ospreys wasn’t enough to keep him in Wales.

With Hawkins having just 5 caps to his name it means he could be effectively walking away from Test rugby, even in the context of a mooted 25-cap rule for players overseas.

The news of the signing will come as a surprise to many, with Baxter telling the BBC in February: “I don’t know where the rumour has come from and I don’t know where it’s started, but right here and now there’s no truth in it. It’s a lot of talk and I have no idea where it’s started.”

Hawkins said he is excited with the challenge ahead.

“I’m really excited about the move,” said Hawkins. “It’s a new challenge for me and something a bit different, especially moving away from my home region, who I will always be thankful to for giving me the playing opportunities that I’ve had up until now. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.”

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Hawkins’ arrival at Exeter Chiefs will provide a much-needed boost to the team, who have had a mixed few months on the field. The club are losing a host of star players next season and have found themselves struggling to keep pace with their Gallagher Premiership rivals. As it stands, they look set to miss the play-offs.

Hawkins will provide a new dimension to Exeter Chiefs’ attacking play alongside the likes of England centre Henry Slade and former Leinster midfielder Rory O’Loughlin. The Chiefs look set to lose the services of Jack Nowell next season while Irish centre Sean O’Brien is set to come off contract. Up front, there has been a real exodus of top talent, with a near-full forward pack of players heading to the exit.

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M
MO 16 minutes ago
Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Yes the team selection for the ABs vs Italy was one of the most perplexing things I have ever seen from an AB coach. It showed the Razor was too scared… compare that to Rassie. When you have a scared coach, its a recipe for disaster. Instead of giving some of the young guns a chance, he chose to play players who had played England, Ireland and France on successive Saturdays, they were “shot” - it was a win, but the team looked beat and lacked any real drive.


Razor has shown already this year, that he sees this as a mistake. But even then there were some strange decisions for the 3rd French test. Bower in for Norris - Norris is the future, Bower is not. Dropping Proctor for ALB was also weird, given ALB hasnt played in 2 months and basically we know what he can and cant do. Proctor would have benefited from a 3rd straight game. Now I know some people will say ALB scored a try - 5 points. I would say, he also gave away two penalties, where the French scored 6 points.


Finally, the return of Sevu Reece - while I dont dispute at SR level he’s a star, and he really works to get involved. But unfortunately, he lacks the real speed to be an international winger - he was left behind by Jordan for his try, and I cant forget the French winger burning him for pace last November. OK I understand Clarke and Ioane were injured, and the seem not to like Narawa - but this says our winger stocks are pretty low if we have to rely on Sevu.

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