Joe Hawkins RWC hopes are in doubt after the Prem swap

Posted by Xchange Tickets on April 5th, 2023

After signing with Exeter Chiefs, Joe Hawkins won't be able to represent Wales in the Rugby World Cup, according to Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall. Wales' Joe Hawkins is the subject of controversy right at the moment. Rugby supporters can book Wales Rugby World Cups Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

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The buildup to last weekend was clouded by rumours that Welsh performers may walk out in protest of their current contracts with the WRU. Even though it seems the fight has, at least temporarily, ended. After joining Gallagher Premiership club Exeter, Wales centre Joe Hawkins' future as a member of the international team is questionable.

The 20-year-old Ospreys performer was a vital cog in Warren Gatland's previous Guinness Six Nations season and has five international honours to his name.

Hawkins has represented Wales since the 2020 6N Under 20s Tournament. He earned his first try for the U20 team in 2021 versus Scotland and was selected as the team's leader for the 2022 U20 Summer Series. He scored a late penalty versus Italy to secure victory, but Wales lost the championship to South Africa.

Hawkins’s contributions

Hawkins was selected for the Wales team for the Autumn series in 2022.  Hawkins made his Wales appearance in 2022, starting at inside centre versus Australia. Hawkins was included in Warren Gatland's squad for the 2023 6N Championship, and he continued to wear the inside centre jersey as the competition got underway. He played the first two games, versus Ireland and Scotland, in the midfield alongside Ospreys teammate George North.

In the third game versus England, Hawkins once more took over, but this time with Mason Grady as his new centre partner. Hawkins and Grady established a midfield combination at the U20 level just one year before. Yet to be eligible for recruitment to the national team, performers who play professionally outside of Wales must have amassed at least 25 caps.

Hawkin’s selection for RWC 2023

If chosen by Gatland, Hawkins, whose Exeter deal technically begins on July 1, won't join the Chiefs until following the Rugby World Cup 2023 in September and October. It is unknown if the current selection criteria for exiled sportsmen with 60 caps in Wales still includes permission possibilities. Hawkins might be eligible for the Rugby World Cup, which begins in September.

However, given the current situation, he wouldn't be qualified after the competition. Given that Gatland praised Hawkins during the Six Nations and that he is one of the most exciting young players in the Welsh sport, this might be a huge setback for the Wales head trainer.

Hawkins turned down the opportunity to stay with the Ospreys in favour of joining old pathway companions Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John, and Matthew Tshiunza at the Chiefs.

Wales Vs Georgia Rugby World Cup

Wales will confront Georgia in the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2023. At the Stadium de la Beaujoire in Nantes and kickoff is scheduled at 21:00. To become Rugby World Cup 2023 eyewitness you can buy Wales Vs Georgia Tickets from our online platform.

Overview

Wales, which is now ranked a pathetic ninth, is situated in a more equitable area of the draw, surrounded by Argentina, England, and Australia. It is entirely possible, though, for Wales to face England in the round of eight if the outcomes pan out as expected.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup's opening game pitted these countries against one another. This game, the last Group C battle for every team, will decide which side advances to the knockout round of the tournament.

Welsh will be inspired by their 43–14 victory against Georgia in their last match, despite the possibility that Georgia might shock entire viewers given the significance of the line. On each occasion, the result should be a great pleasure!

Hawkins remarked

Hawkins praised Exeter's efforts in a statement following the announcement of the move.  “Moving away from his native land, which he continues to be grateful to for providing him with the chances to excel up until this point, is a different adventure and something fresh for him, he added. That being said, it does seem like a place to call home, particularly considering the number of Welsh males that have already arrived.”

“I've talked to a handful of these, and they've all had great things to say about the team and the people down there. Moreover, having a conversation with Rob (Baxter, rugby director) and Ali (Hepher, head trainer).”

“I was quite interested in the entirety of what they had to say regarding their play tactics and their goals for recruiting new participants who can contend with the elite players. That caught my attention, and I was keen on taking part in it and being present when this trip began.”

“Joe "moves very virtually every single box" that we seek in a performer, according to Baxter, and I have no question that he will be a terrific member of the team. But he is someone for whom we're genuinely enthusiastic. Like any sportsperson, we believe there are still some aspects of his ability that can be improved."

Toby Booth, the head trainer of the Ospreys, expressed his unhappiness at not being capable of maintaining Hawkins.

"It's obvious that leaving Joe is upsetting. We have spent a lot of effort over the previous two years moulding him into a player," said Booth. Our top objective is to retain our talented, young Welsh competitors, but there are situations when that's not possible."

Ethan Roots signed to Exeter

Hawkins' Ospreys colleague Ethan Roots has also committed to Exeter. Although, the 25-year-old New Zealander has prospered in the Ospreys back row this season despite the departure of Chiefs flanker Dave Ewers and number eight Sam Simmonds to Ulster and Montpellier, respectively. He'll help them make up their losses.

But it is a peculiar one. Rob Baxter, the director of rugby at Exeter, was reportedly not interested in signing Hawkins just five weeks ago.

Then he declared: "I don't understand where the rumour came from or when it first began, however right at the moment there's no longer any truth to it. I'm not sure where all this discussion came from, but there's a lot of it. With Wales Under-20s, Hawkins and Exeter forward Dafydd Jenkins performed together, and Baxter said in a statement in February that he was conscious of the centre's potential.”

The man said, "I've looked at Joe on innumerable occasions. I've seen him perform for the Ospreys and participate in the Welsh competitions on multiple occasions because Daf explicitly informed me that he's a great competitor and informed me a number of times that he thought he has potential. The observation of a worker to track their growth, meanwhile, is far distinct from communicating to them, sitting quietly with each other, negotiating new contracts, and hiring them."

The worlds have merged at this point. In a short period, it seems like a lot may alter.

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