Joe Hawkins
{{short description|Welsh rugby union footballer}}
{{for|the television character Joe Hawkins|Humans (TV series)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Joe Hawkins
| image = File:Joe Hawkins 2023.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|06|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Swansea, Wales
| height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|98|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school = Cwmtawe Community School
| university = Neath Port Talbot College
| relatives =
| position = Centre
| currentclub = Exeter Chiefs
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Pontardawe RFC
| years1 = 2020–2023
| clubs1 = Ospreys
| apps1 = 28
| points1 = 10
| years2 = 2023–2025
| clubs2 = Exeter Chiefs
| apps2 = 26
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2025–
| clubs3 = Scarlets
| apps3 = 0
| points3 = 0
| repyears1 = 2020–2022
| repteam1 = Wales U20
| repcaps1 = 17
| reppoints1 = 41
| repyears2 = 2022–
| repteam2 = Wales
| repcaps2 = 5
| reppoints2 = 0
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =
| ru_sevensupdate =
}}
Joe Hawkins (born 11 June 2002) is a Welsh international rugby union player who currently plays his club rugby at centre for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. Hawkins began his professional career with the Ospreys in the URC, before signing for Exeter in 2023. He represents Wales at international level, having made his test debut against Australia during the 2022 Autumn Internationals.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/player/view/16796|title=Joe Hawkins|work=Ultimate Rugby|accessdate=3 November 2020}} He has 5 caps.
Early life
Hawkins began his career with the Pontardawe RFC youth team, later playing for Neath Port Talbot College and Neath Athletic.{{Cite web |title=Q&A - Joe Hawkins {{!}} Ospreys |url=https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/qa-joe-hawkins |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=www.ospreysrugby.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Iestyn Rhys |date=2022-10-26 |title=What do we know about Joe Hawkins? New Wales squad member |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/rugby/2022/10/26/about-joe-hawkinsgnewgwales-squad/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216010207/https://lastwordonsports.com/rugby/2022/10/26/about-joe-hawkinsgnewgwales-squad/ |archive-date=16 February 2023 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Last Word on Rugby |language=en-US}} He represented Swansea Valley in the Dewar Shield.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Simon |date=2022-03-09 |title=Meet Joe Hawkins, the new Wales captain with rugby in his DNA |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/meet-joe-hawkins-new-wales-23333638 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}} Hawkins briefly played rugby league, appearing for the West Wales Raiders, before concentrating solely on rugby union. Hawkins joined the Ospreys, initially playing for their U16 side, and progressed through the academy groups.
Club career
= Ospreys =
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/ospreys-team-face-zebre-1|title=Ospreys team to face Zebre|work=Ospreys|date=1 November 2020|accessdate=2 November 2020}} Hawkins scored his first professional try against Connacht on 26 November 2021.{{Cite news |title=Seven-try Connacht thump Ospreys |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59414583 |access-date=2023-02-25}}
Primarily an inside centre, Hawkins is also able to play as an outside half, covering the position for the Ospreys in a Champions Cup match against Sale Sharks.
= Exeter Chiefs =
Hawkins moved to Exeter Chiefs for the 2023–24 Premiership Rugby season.{{cite web |title=Hawkins signs for the Chiefs |url=https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/hawkins-signs-for-the-chiefs}}
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.{{cite news |date=3 May 2023 |title=Joe Hawkins: Wales centre backs Exeter move that ended his World Cup hopes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65474966 |work=BBC Sport}}
He made his competitive debut on 28 October 2023, coming off the bench against Sale Sharks.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-28 |title=Premiership: Exeter 43-0 Sale: Chiefs impress in bonus-point shutout of Sharks |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67231425 |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} In January 2024, Hawkins received a red card for a dangerous tackle against Aviron Bayonnais, and was banned for three weeks.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Joe Hawkins: Exeter centre banned after Bayonne red card |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68106349 |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
= Scarlets =
Hawkins signed for the Scarlets on 13 March 2025, his return to Wales making him once again eligible for selection to the national side.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Steffan |date=2025-03-13 |title=Star returns from England to put himself right back in Wales reckoning |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/star-returns-england-put-himself-31189814 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}
International career
= Wales U20 =
Hawkins has represented Wales at U20 level.{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-u20-triumph-over-france-17793681|title=Wales U20 14-11 France U20: Tries from Ellis Bevan and Morgan Strong fire win over reigning world champions|work=Wales Online|date=21 February 2020|accessdate=3 November 2020}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Rugby Union (Sky Sports) |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/scotland-u20-vs-wales-u20/98185 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=SkySports |language=en}} He scored his second try in the subsequent tournament, again coming against Scotland as Wales came back to win.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-14 |title=Hawkins encouraged with Wales U20 comeback - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2022/02/hawkins-encouraged-with-wales-u20-comeback/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} In the absence of the suspended Alex Mann, Hawkins was named as captain for the match against France.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Joe Hawkins to captain Wales in Six Nations Under-20s clash with France |url=https://u20.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/03/09/joe-hawkins-to-captain-wales-in-six-nations-under-20s-clash-with-france/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Under-20 Six Nations |language=en-GB}}
Hawkins was selected as captain for the 2022 U20 Summer Series, and converted a late penalty against Italy to clinch the win.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/young-wales-captain-would-any-24422194|title=Young Wales captain 'would get into any U20s team in the world' as rousing speech caught on camera|work=Wales Online|date=7 July 2022|access-date=21 October 2022}} Wales reached the final of the tournament, but ultimately lost to South Africa.
= Wales =
Hawkins was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn series.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-squad-announcement-live-updates-25287670|title=Wales autumn rugby squad announcement as Wayne Pivac names five uncapped players|work=Wales Online|date=18 October 2022|access-date=20 October 2022}} On 26 November 2022, Hawkins made his Wales debut, starting against Australia at inside centre.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-26 |title=Joe completes Hawkins family quest for Wales cap - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2022/11/joe-completes-hawkins-family-quest-for-wales-cap/ |access-date=2022-11-27 |website=Welsh Rugby Union |language=en-GB}}
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.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-24 |title=Wales Six Nations Squad 2023 – Team to play England |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-six-nations/wales-six-nations-squad-88027 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Rugby World |language=en-US}} Hawkins again started against England in the third match, but with a new centre partner of Mason Grady, making his international debut. Only one year prior, Hawkins and Grady formed a midfield partnership at U20 level.
Having moved to Exeter with only five Wales caps, short of the 25 caps required to be based outside of Wales, Hawkins was no longer eligible to represent Wales, and he was not selected for the 2023 World Cup training squad.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65441832 | title=Rugby World Cup 2023: Centre Joe Hawkins left out of Wales squad with 10 uncapped players named | work=BBC Sport | date=May 2023 }}
Personal life
Hawkins's grandfather Brian represented Wales Youth in 1970, but did not appear for a full senior cap.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-26 |title=Joe completes Hawkins family quest for Wales cap - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2022/11/joe-completes-hawkins-family-quest-for-wales-cap/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} 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.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Sport links}}
- [https://www.wru.wales/player/joe-hawkins/ WRU Profile]
- [https://www.ospreysrugby.com/player/214 Ospreys Profile]
{{Exeter Chiefs squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawkins, Joe}}
Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players
Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen
Category:Rugby union players from Swansea
Category:Welsh rugby union players
Category:Wales international rugby union players