Joe Hawkins

Joe Hawkins (born 11 June 2002) is a Welsh international rugby union player who primarily plays centre for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. Hawkins began his professional career with the Ospreys, before signing for Exeter. He has also represented Wales at international level, having made his test debut against Australia during the 2022 Autumn Internationals.[1]

For the television character Joe Hawkins, see Humans (TV series).

Joe Hawkins
Date of birth (2002-06-11) 11 June 2002
Place of birthSwansea, Wales
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb)
SchoolCwmtawe Community School
UniversityNeath Port Talbot College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Exeter Chiefs
Youth career
Pontardawe RFC
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2023 Ospreys 28 (10)
2023– Exeter Chiefs 0 (0)
Correct as of 5 September 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2022 Wales U20 16 (41)
2022– Wales 5 (0)
Correct as of 18 March 2023

Club career

Hawkins began his career with the Pontardawe RFC youth team, later playing for Neath Port Talbot College and Neath Athletic.[2][3] He represented Swansea Valley in the Dewar Shield.[4] Hawkins briefly played rugby league, appearing for the West Wales Raiders, before concentrating solely on rugby union.[4] Hawkins joined the Ospreys, initially playing for their U16 side, and progressed through the academy groups.[2]

Hawkins was named in the Ospreys side for Round 4 of the 2020–21 Pro14 against Zebre, making his professional rugby debut at age 18.[5] Hawkins scored his first professional try against Connacht on 26 November 2021.[6]

Primarily an inside centre, Hawkins is also able to play as an outside half, starting in the position for the Ospreys in a Champions Cup match against Sale Sharks.[3]

International career

Hawkins has represented Wales at U20 level.[7] He first appeared for the team during the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, having been selected at age 17. Hawkins scored his first try for the U20 team on 13 July 2021, against Scotland, during the delayed 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[8] He scored his second try in the subsequent tournament, again coming against Scotland as Wales came back to win.[9] In the absence of the suspended Alex Mann, Hawkins was named as captain for the match against France.[10]

Hawkins was selected as captain for the 2022 U20 Summer Series, and converted a late penalty against Italy to clinch the win.[11] Wales reached the final of the tournament, but ultimately lost to South Africa.

Hawkins was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn series.[12] On 26 November 2022, Hawkins made his Wales debut, starting against Australia at inside centre.[13]

Returning head coach Warren Gatland named Hawkins in his squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship, and Hawkins retained the inside centre shirt as the tournament began. He partnered Ospreys teammate George North in the midfield for the first two matches, against Ireland and Scotland.[14] Hawkins again started against England in the third match, but with a new centre partner of Mason Grady, making his international debut.[14] Only one year prior, Hawkins and Grady formed a midfield partnership at U20 level.

Hawkins moved to Exeter Chiefs for the 2023/2024 season.[15] With only 5 Wales caps, this fell short of the 25 caps required to be based outside of Wales and still selected for the national team . This meant he was not selected for the 2023 World Cup Training Squad. [16] Hawkins cited the "turbulence" involved in the Welsh rugby contract negotiations as well as being "significantly underpaid" as his reasons for leaving, at the Ospreys he had still been on an academy contract. [17]

Personal life

Hawkins's grandfather Brian represented Wales Youth in 1970, but did not appear for a full senior cap.[18] Both his father and uncle attained caps from Wales U15 to U21 level. His father David was also a centre, and played for Aberavon, Tonmawr and Carmarthen Quins.[4]

References
  1. "Joe Hawkins". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. "Q&A - Joe Hawkins | Ospreys". www.ospreysrugby.com. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  3. Thomas, Iestyn Rhys (26 October 2022). "What do we know about Joe Hawkins? New Wales squad member". Last Word on Rugby. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  4. Thomas, Simon (9 March 2022). "Meet Joe Hawkins, the new Wales captain with rugby in his DNA". WalesOnline. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  5. "Ospreys team to face Zebre". Ospreys. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  6. "Seven-try Connacht thump Ospreys". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  7. "Wales U20 14-11 France U20: Tries from Ellis Bevan and Morgan Strong fire win over reigning world champions". Wales Online. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. "Rugby Union (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  9. "Hawkins encouraged with Wales U20 comeback - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  10. "Joe Hawkins to captain Wales in Six Nations Under-20s clash with France". Under-20 Six Nations. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  11. "Young Wales captain 'would get into any U20s team in the world' as rousing speech caught on camera". Wales Online. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  12. "Wales autumn rugby squad announcement as Wayne Pivac names five uncapped players". Wales Online. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  13. "Joe completes Hawkins family quest for Wales cap - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  14. "Wales Six Nations Squad 2023 – Team to play England". Rugby World. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  15. https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/hawkins-signs-for-the-chiefs
  16. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65441832
  17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65474966
  18. "Joe completes Hawkins family quest for Wales cap - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
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