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Wales rookie Joe Hawkins joins Exeter Chiefs
By Ian Cameron
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.
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.
