Exciting young Wales centre Joe Hawkins admits that his rapid rise up the ranks was quicker than expected after making his Six Nations debut against Ireland.

Hawkins has been making waves at Ospreys and earned his first Test cap under Wayne Pivac last November before a Six Nations debut under Warren Gatland.

Gatland’s praise

The 20-year-old made an immediate impression on Gatland, who backed the youngster to start in his first game back as Wales’ head coach.

“This is a new team with players with different skills and different strengths, and he brings something that is a little bit different,” Gatland said after selecting Hawkins to face Ireland.

“He is a lovely footballer, and I wanted to give him the reassurance and confidence after the Australia performance to start again.”

The centre is quickly establishing himself as Wales’ first choice centre and slotted in seamlessly alongside veteran George North against Ireland.

Variety in his game

Speaking ahead of the clash with Scotland in round two, Hawkins explained that he thrives to be as well-rounded as possible.

“I have always tried to be as rounded as possible. The way the game is going, you can’t be too one-dimensional,” Hawkins said.

“I like the ball-play, but you have got to be able to bash it up a little bit as well.

“On the field, it would probably be quite easy to go within yourself a little bit, but if you want to compete with the players in camp, you have got to try and be bold and be vocal.

“When you come in with big characters, if you want to impact the game and training, you can’t go into your shell.

“They would rather it if you are vocal and demanding on the field, so that is what you have got to try and do.”

Rapid rise

Hawkins played for the U20s team last year and before making his Test debut in the final match of 2022 and says he didn’t expect to be playing at Test level so soon.

“When you are in the under-20s, you see the senior team playing, and you have always got ambitions of going on and playing for the senior team,” he explained.

“I probably didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it has done.

“It is a bit surreal being out there on the training field. I guess it’s just trying to take in all the experience they (senior players) have and then put it into your game.

“All you can do is take care of business back at your region and hope you get a bit of recognition internationally.

“I wasn’t expecting it to happen as quickly as this. I just focus on playing for the Ospreys, and then whatever happens, happens.”

Learning from his dad

Rugby runs in the Hawkins’ blood with his father David, a former Aberavon centre, and grandfather Brian, a Wales Youth cap who played for Newport and Newbridge.

“When I was younger, he (David) coached me a bit, so he was always giving me advice along the way, but these days he lets me crack on,” Hawkins added.

“They have been loving it. It’s almost like living another career through me. They are all really proud. If I am involved on Saturday, they will be making the trip up to Scotland.”

Wales take on Scotland at Murrayfield in their second match of the Six Nations after succumbing to a 34-10 home defeat to Ireland in round one.

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