Wales exodus continues as Hawkins makes move to Exeter for 2023-24

Another Wales international has opted to play his club rugby in England next season, with centre Joe Hawkins having confirmed his summer move to Exeter Chiefs. The 20-year-old Osprey has signed a long-term deal and will join his Welsh teammates Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins at Sandy Park.

Hawkins, who made his Test debut last November and started against England in this year’s Six Nations championship, is a young player with considerable potential and can also play at fly-half. Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, and head coach Ali Hepher are looking to rebuild the Chiefs as a title-winning force with several established players set to leave the club next month.

“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. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.

“Also, chatting with Rob and Ali, I liked what they had to say about how they want to play and how they want to create a new team capable of challenging at the very top. That really appealed to me, I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to be there at the start of this journey.”

Baxter is similarly delighted to have signed the Swansea-born back, who has won five caps to date. “He’s someone we have had a close eye on for some time and was someone I spotted when we were looking at footage of Daf and a few of the other Welsh Under-20s.

“We do have players moving on at the end of this season, so it was important we looked at the areas we needed to fill and that we brought in the right players. Joe ticks pretty much every box that we look for in a player and I’ve no doubt he’s going to be a great addition to the squad.

“You can see he’s clearly talented and that he has a bit of versatility about him. Like any player, we feel there are areas of his game that can be further developed, but he’s someone who we are genuinely excited about.

“I’m looking at him and others within the squad and thinking we are putting together a group of players who, I believe, can really take this club forward over the next few years and real challenge for honours.”