Joe Hawkins insists he has no regrets about the decision that cost him a place at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Scarlets centre, who was recently selected in Steve Tandy’s 39-player squad for November’s Nations Championship fixtures, aims to seize the opportunity to continue to make his mark on the international stage.
The 24-year-old spent two years with Exeter before returning back to Wales, as next year’s World Cup in Australia now provides a potential target after he was unable to feature at the previous tournament.
“It’s always in the back of your mind, knowing that you’re going into a World Cup year,” Hawkins said.
“You can probably see from performances from other boys in all positions in the squad, with it being a World Cup year intensity rises at the clubs.
“Boys playing for positions and knowing that that is the carrot at the end of the year, but if you’re not taking care of the here and now, you’re not going to get that far.
“It’s in the back of the mind, it’s something you target and work towards, but you have got to take care of what is in front of you first.”
Sacrificed last World Cup
Having left Welsh rugby for the Sandy Park side in 2023 with just five caps to his name.
It meant Hawkins fell short of the 25-cap threshold required to remain eligible for selection while playing outside of Wales.
It ultimately ruled him out of contention for the tournament in France, having featured for Wales during the 2023 Six Nations earlier in the year under returning head coach Warren Gatland.
Despite missing for some players the Everest of their playing career, a World Cup, Hawkins has no regrets about his decision to test himself playing in England’s top-flight, believing the experiences has left him better equipped for what lies ahead.
“No regrets,” Hawkins added, who prior to his move to Devon began his senior playing career with the Ospreys in 2020.
“It would have been nice to have a World Cup under my belt already. That just makes me even more excited for potentially what’s ahead.
“I loved my couple of years that I had down in Exeter, life experiences, and all that stuff.
“Experience in the PREM, which you can see a lot of the (Welsh) boys are thriving in now. So, no regrets.”
Consistency key for Wales
After an uplifting Six Nations campaign, which included spirited performances against Scotland and Ireland, and a long awaited victory against Italy.
The summer did not have the following that so many Welsh supporters would have wanted, despite two victories, but two defeats against Argentina and South Africa proved how far Wales still have to climb.
A subdued November won’t do for Steve Tandy’s side, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. Wales face Japan, New Zealand, and Australia at Principality Stadium.
“Every game matters,” added Hawkins, who has played in eight of Wales’ nine matches in 2026 so far.
“The biggest thing for us is driving that consistency of our performance going through.
“We started to see that at the back end of the Six Nations, probably fell off a bit in the summer.
“So for us now, it’s getting back to that consistent performance, putting performances out on the field that we’re seeing on the training pitch. But every game is important.”
James partnership and versatility
After struggling to find a strong midfield partnership, head coach Tandy seems to have found his answer, as Hawkins alongside Scarlets teammate Eddie James looks settled.
The duo are likely to join forces throughout November, despite many Welsh supporters and pundits calling for James’s expertise to be utilised at inside-centre.
“Me and Eddie have a good relationship off the field,” added Hawkins, as Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, and uncapped Aneurin Owen provide further options in midfield for Tandy.
“That is starting to grow on the pitch, with the more opportunities that we obviously have together.
“You’re going to be a bit more comfortable with someone you are playing club rugby with.
“That’s in a sense of I know I could call him out on things, likewise if I am not doing something he wants, he feels comfortable that he can come and tell me.
“Whereas, when you come into camp with people from other clubs, obviously you get to that point, but you need to build that sort of off-field relationship as well before you can start building the on-field stuff.
“Naturally it is a bit easier with someone from your club.”
Both Tandy and attack coach Matt Sherratt like a second playmaker within their backline, and Hawkins seems destined to wear the 12 jersey for the foreseeable.
This is because of Hawkins’ experience of also wearing the 10 jersey for the Scarlets for the majority of last season. On his versatility, Hawkins added: “Definitely gives me a lot more respect for tens, having played there.
“It probably helps me (playing there) when I play centre from being a ten, I know what they need from me a little bit more.
“So like the information, communication that I am feeding them helps the whole team.
“I like to play the ball, but you still need go forward as well, and I feel I can produce that side of it as well.
“The ball playing stuff is stuff I enjoy doing, training and playing it.”
Having missed out on the previous World Cup due to him moving to Exeter, Hawkins has slowly but surely cemented his place within Wales’ international picture.
Now with a more settled midfield pairing beginning to take shape ahead of next year’s tournament down under, these matches this month could prove decisive.
Hawkins has continuously insisted he has no regrets about the path he took. Now, he has the chance to make sure his World Cup dream does not pass him by.
