Centre Hawkins determined to make World Cup

Wales centre Joe Hawkins says missing the previous World Cup has made him more determined to make the next global tournament in Australia in 12 months.

Following his move from Ospreys to Exeter in 2023, Hawkins was deemed ineligible to play for Wales by Welsh rugby's Professional Rugby Board (PRB) because of the 25-cap rule.

The rule says players who have fewer than 25 caps are unavailable to play for Wales if they are not involved with a Welsh club.

This ruled him out of the 2023 World Cup in France but Hawkins has since returned to the national side after signing for Scarlets.

"I have no regrets," said Hawkins.

"It would have been nice to have a World Cup under my belt already, but that just makes me even more excited for potentially what's ahead over the next year.

"I loved my couple of years in Exeter with the life experience and playing in the Prem, where you can see a lot of the boys are thriving in now."

Wales have a minimum of 12 matches before the World Cup, starting with the Nations Championship opener against Japan in Cardiff next Saturday.

"It's always in the back of your mind, knowing you're going into a World Cup year," said Hawkins.

"You can probably see from performances from other boys in all positions in the squads that in a World Cup year, the intensity probably rises at the clubs.

"Boys are playing for positions and knowing that's 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."

Hawkins, 24, and Scarlets partner Eddie James have developed as Wales' first-choice centre pairing during the past 12 months.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has selected five different starting centre partnerships in 13 games since taking charge in September 2025.

Hawkins and James are the most prolific pair, having been together for seven games which include victory in an uncapped match against Barbarians.

Tandy did go back to Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn for the 43-0 defeat by South Africa in July, but the Scarlets pair have been the preferred option.

"Eddie and I have a good relationship on and off the field," said Hawkins.

"That is starting to grow on the pitch with the more opportunities we get together."

The make-up of the Wales midfield has caused debate with Tandy and attack coach Matt Sherratt wanting a creative ball-playing inside centre like Hawkins or Thomas.

This leaves James as the physical presence at outside centre with Tandy stating he sees his long-term future as a Test 13.

Many observers believe James should be considered as a 12 but Wales are determined to keep their creative options open.

With Thomas missing because of a calf injury, Hawkins appears to be competing for the Wales' 12 jersey with uncapped Dragons centre Aneurin Owen, although Llewellyn has also featured at inside centre for Gloucester this season.

"The ball-playing stuff is stuff I enjoy doing but you still need to go forward as well and I feel like I can also produce that side of it," said Hawkins.

"Matt [Sherratt] likes you always in and around that first receiver position so you are always in those decision-making roles.

"You've got to be comfortable on the ball and making decisions at high speed.

"But there's not always going to be opportunities to ball play, so you've got to try and have a bit of a rounded game."

Hawkins has also been employed as an outside-half by Scarlets but he sees his future at 12.

"It gives me a lot more respect for the 10s, having been in there, with all the work they do," he added.

"It probably helps me when I play centre from being a 10, I know what they need from me a little bit more, so the information and communication I'm feeding helps the whole team."