Wales international Joe Hawkins, Ethan Roots and Will Haydon-Wood to join Exeter

Hawkins played in four of Wales' matches during the Six Nations campaign this year

Exeter have signed Wales back Joe Hawkins on a "long-term deal" from United Rugby Championship side Ospreys for the 2023-24 season.

The highly rated 20-year-old centre has been capped five times since making his international debut last November.

Yet the move means Hawkins falls short of the eligibility change recently brought in by the Welsh Rugby Union.

Those playing outside of Wales are now required to have 25 caps to represent their country.

Barring any caveats, that would make Hawkins ineligible for the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.

Exeter have also signed forward Ethan Roots from Ospreys and former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half Will Haydon-Wood from French Pro D2 side Massy Esonne for next season.

New Zealand-born back-rower Roots, 25, joined the Welsh side in 2021 from Crusaders and has made 14 appearances for the team this season, while Hayden-Wood moved to Massy Esonne after Wasps were suspended from the Premiership last October.

Hawkins, who graduated through the Ospreys academy and made the first of his 28 appearances for the club aged 18, said he was "really excited" by his switch to Sandy Park.

"Over the years the Chiefs have been known for bringing through youngsters and giving them their chance on the biggest stages," he told the club website.

"I want to be part of that and to try and take the club onwards and upwards."

Hawkins will become part of a growing Welsh contingent of players at Exeter, alongside Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John and Christ Tshiunza, all of whom he has played with before.

In February, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said that there was "no truth" in the rumours that the club were interested in signing Hawkins.

However, following the announcement Baxter said he was a player that they have had a "close eye on for some time".

"We're delighted to have Joe signed on for next season and beyond," he added.

"He 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 that we looked at the areas we needed to fill and that we brought in the right players.

"Joe, I think, 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."