Exeter Chiefs: Rob Baxter expects Joe Hawkins ‘to play for Wales’ and doesn’t see his eligibility being a ‘problem’

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter thinks that new signing Joe Hawkins will not have to put his Test career with Wales on hold following his move to the Premiership. 

Hawkins was one of three new signings announced by Exeter this week, with current Ospreys teammate Ethan Roots and former Newcastle fly-half Will Haydon-Wood also joining the Premiership side.

Confusion over Joe Hawkins’ eligibility

The 20-year-old’s move to the Premiership has thrown his eligibility for Wales into question, having represented the nation five times since his Test debut against Australia last year.

He earned four caps during the Six Nations this year but still falls short of the 25 required to represent Wales while signed on at a club outside of the country.

The previous selection policy for players outside of Wales had a 60-cap dispensation clause. There was also an exception for uncapped players contracted outside of Wales to qualify while their current contact was in place; this meant Louis Rees-Zammit and Tommy Reffell could make their debuts.

Following the announcement of Hawkins’ signing at Exeter, Baxter was asked about the youngster’s international future.

He was careful not to disclose confidential information but said he did not sign the player with the expectation that his Test career would be put on hold.

“All this came about before any eligibility rules came about. The WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) have asked me the same question,” Baxter explained.

“I said to them I can only really send them paperwork with the player’s permission, but he has got it all. So as far as I know, the WRU will sort that out with the player and the player’s agent.

“It is for them to provide all the information, not for me. I don’t see it being a problem because of the timing of when we got everything signed. That is all I can say on that.

“We haven’t signed him on the expectation that he won’t play for Wales if that is what you’re asking me. I haven’t got the expectation that he will be here. I expect him to play for Wales.”

Wanting Hawkins to improve at Exeter

The contract row between the WRU, the regions and the players left several players questioning their future in the final six months of their contracts.

Baxter confirmed that he had conversions with several Welsh players over the last six months.

“It has been a difficult situation,” Baxter added.

“I have probably had discussions with half-a-dozen players in Wales who haven’t known where they have stood for six months.

“There’s been a lot of chats about their futures and what their options might be. But they are all proud Welshman who want to play for Wales.

“So none of them have been easy decisions in terms of leaving Wales, let alone some of the guys we’ve spoken to who knew they would be giving up their Wales careers.

“I would like to think Joe is a player who will be here for a long time. I am not looking at him thinking he will be OK for two years.

“We want him to play for us, keep improving and hopefully become a core player in a group that can stay together for a long time and achieve some success together.”

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