Test future of Joe Hawkins remains uncertain as Ospreys manager Toby Booth hinted at recent “conversations” with the center about his future.
Booth has spoken publicly for the first time since Hawkins and Ospreys defender Ethan Roots was revealed as Exeter Chiefs’ new signing for next season. Both departures are undoubtedly blows for the Ospreys, but the loss of the 20-year-old Hawkins has an added dimension as the move is likely to end his young Test career.
Capped five, Hawkins was in breach of the Welsh Rugby Union’s 25 cap rule, under which players with less than 25 caps for Wales are barred from playing for Wales if they play for their non-regional rugby club. Hawkins’ new boss at Exeter, Rob Baxter, said last week that he hoped the midfielder would be able to continue playing for Wales but would eventually be left to the WRU.
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One scenario that would allow this to happen would be for Hawkins to sign for Exeter before being called up by Wales in October 2022. It is currently unclear whether this is the case, but WalesOnline understands that key figures on the Rugby Professional Council are not happy. with the outcome of the situation and the rules are likely to be strictly enforced.
Like Baxter, Booth said it was not for him to decide whether Hawkins could play for Wales at Exeter. However, he said there have been discussions with the center recently about its future.
“That’s for someone else to decide,” Booth said of Hawkins’ eligibility. “I know we spoke to him recently, but it’s for the WRU.”
Asked if he had signed a preliminary contract with Exeter, Booth said: “I don’t know the answer to that question because I’m not his agent. All I can say is that we had a long talk with him about his future with the Ospreys.”
Speaking generally on the loss of Hawkins and Roots, Booth said it was disappointing to lose the pair, but he couldn’t begrudge the players having gone elsewhere.
“They’ve both joined Exeter and there seem to be quite a few Ospreys players heading there so I’ll speak to Rob Baxter when I see him,” he joked.
“I have no problem with players moving on,” he continued. “It’s a short race and everyone knows what the background is. We talked to these guys from the beginning. Time passes and when the windows of opportunity close, people vote with their feet and I understand”.
“I don’t see it as reflective of the Ospreys with the conversations I’m having with both players. I wish them the best because they have short races and need to get as much confidence as possible.”
“It is disappointing because this is the type of player that, when I arrived here, I was looking to bring or develop from within and make ours grow. Ethan was a developmental player in New Zealand and to bring him in and identify and develop him and see how well he played in our European campaign… Joe is an international rugby player and he wasn’t before we started. We can leverage the role we played in his development, and if you do it right, you never will. I don’t know what’s coming and a lot of times these people go home.”
Source: Wales Online

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