# Centre Hawkins determined to make World Cup

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/centre-hawkins-determined-to-make-world-cup/
- Published: 2026-11-01T04:56:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T05:38:06+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c8vgx0yn4kv0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Americas, Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- Missing the 2023 tournament has made Hawkins more eager to reach Australia.
- He has returned to Wales after joining the Scarlets.
- Hawkins and Eddie James have formed Wales’ most-used centre pairing.

## Summary

Joe Hawkins says missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup has strengthened his determination to earn a place in Wales’ squad for next year’s tournament in Australia. The 24-year-old was unavailable for selection after moving from the Ospreys to Exeter, because Wales’ 25-cap rule restricted players with fewer than 25 caps who played outside the country.

Hawkins has since returned to the national side after joining the Scarlets and has won 13 caps. Wales have at least 12 matches before the World Cup, beginning against Japan in Cardiff next Saturday; Hawkins and fellow Scarlets centre Eddie James have started together seven times in the past year. With Ben Thomas injured, Hawkins is among the contenders at inside centre, where Wales are weighing creative ball-playing options alongside the need for a strong, rounded game.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.