Joe Hawkins: Exeter not 'responsible' for Wales centre's World Cup omission, says Rob Baxter

Centre Joe Hawkins is a former Wales Under-20s captain

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says his side do not shoulder responsibility for Wales centre Joe Hawkins' World Cup omission.

Hawkins was left out of Wales' preliminary World Cup training squad after his move from Ospreys to Exeter.

The 20-year-old will join the Devon club this summer.

"We don't take any responsibility because we approached it with open arms, with the anticipation that he would play for Wales," said Baxter.

With five caps to his name, Hawkins is well short of the 25 needed to continue at international level while playing club rugby outside Wales.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he was "disappointed" to lose Hawkins for the World Cup in France later this year after the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), who run the professional game in Wales, told him he was ineligible upon studying documentation over the timing of his move to England.

Hawkins, who was first named in a national squad in October 2022 and made his debut against Australia the following month, could still have been deemed available for Wales had he been uncapped when he signed his Exeter contract.

"We felt that we had got everything in place we needed to," said Baxter.

"We complied with what we were asked to do with the information we had. Obviously Wales feel there's stuff that doesn't prove certain dates and times that they wanted.

"We haven't done anything wrong, we certainly haven't broken any rules.

"I think what will surprise people is how early we looked at Joe. He was playing under-20s rugby and I was watching those games with players we've got here.

"We've been looking at him for years basically. Whatever has happened has happened, but we'll get on with it and support Joe in what he wants to do."

The spotlight was shone on Wales' eligibility rules after Gatland named a 54-man squad that, while omitting Hawkins, included former England prop Henry Thomas and France-bound Dragons forward Will Rowlands.

Thomas, capped seven times by England between 2013 and 2014, has served World Rugby's stand-down period of three years to represent another country.

The 31-year-old Montpellier tighthead has not been capped by Wales, so is not affected by the 25-cap rule.

Thomas would, however, have to play in Wales after his current Montpellier deal expires should he be capped in the meantime.

Rowlands has won 23 caps and his registration will remain in Wales before he joins Paris-based Racing 92 next season.

Two World Cup warm-up games against England and another with South Africa in August could take Rowlands to the 25-cap mark.

Asked if he was surprised by Hawkins' World Cup omission, Baxter said a "little bit", but added: "It certainly isn't my place to be critical of the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union).

"I've got to be very careful without knowing in depth what the situation is in Wales, what the regions' thoughts are on it.

"There is a lot going on within rugby across the world, a lot going on in the Premiership. But if Wales decide they don't want to take Joe to the World Cup then that's their decision."