Hawkins Hoping to Excel in Second Chiefs Season

Welsh centre Joe Hawkins describes his first Chiefs season as one of frustration, but he sees the 2024/25 season as full of opportunity for strong performances as he looks to carve his name on the Exeter midfield.

Joe Hawkins was described in summer 2023 as Rob Baxter’s big-name signing ahead of a season of regeneration for the Exeter Chiefs.

The then 21-year-old had burst onto the scene for Ospreys with performances that earned him an international debut for Wales in November 2022 at the Principality Stadium against Australia.

The lure of the Gallagher Premiership caught his eye, however, and he made the journey over the Severn Bridge to line-up for the 2023/24 season as a Chief.

“It’s a tough question, as I’d probably say inconsistent.” Hawkins said of his first season in Devon. “On a personal note, it was a season of finding my feet. I feel I was inconsistent in terms of performances.

“I had some decent and some not so decent games – it was all part of finding my way here at the club. I think it did have a little bit to do with establishing myself in a different league, a different country.

“It was adapting to different training days – the load and what is expected of you. The Premiership is not the same as the URC. And I was also working to get to know the coaches, and the way they want to play, and then trying to implement that on the weekend. It was a big learning curve for me, but it was still really enjoyable at the same time.”

Chiefs’ centres tend to fit a mould which simultaneously sees them excel on the pitch and endears them to supporters. You just have to consult the recent history books – Whitten, Devoto and Campagnaro.

Hawkins would like to think a strong start to his second season could see him become a more permanent fixture in the Exeter midfield. In his first, he made 20 appearances in the Premiership Cup, the Gallagher Premiership and the Investec Champions Cup.

“Ahead of coming into this new season, I had some good chats with the coaches – good, honest conversations around what can be improved in my game. In the off season, I put a lot of work in to come back in a good place physically and then got a full pre-season under my belt which gives me a good, solid foundation to build off.

“I’m a bit more comfortable in my surroundings and understanding what my role is in the team now – what’s needed of me and what’s being asked of me – and being able to deliver on that.”

Following the 2024 international summer tours, it was announced that Chiefs and England centre Henry Slade would face a spell on the sidelines having undergone shoulder surgery. It would be remiss to assume that Hawkins hasn’t seen an opening in the Exeter backline to step up into more of a leaddership role in the absence of the club’s double centurion.

“Everyone knows how important Sladey is for us, and that it leaves big boots to be filled but it gives an opportunity. There’s a space there up for grabs but there is a leadership and performance aspect that needs addressed as well, so that gives a chance to whoever is playing to really step up and help the team.”

It’s a Chiefs team that is thriving with competition in a number of positions. When all backline options are fit, Hawkins will be up against teammates Ben Hammersley, Zack Wimbush, Tamati Tua and, of course, Slade. It’s a challenge he won’t be shying away from.

“I think competition always brings out the best in people and it’s about getting that balance right to ensure that it’s healthy competition as that drives you to be better.

“You also need to be able to have confidence in your position so that you’re not worried about every single mistake keeping you out of the team, as confidence and backing can help you to really go out there and apply yourself.”

Applying themselves is something the Chiefs squad as a unit are aiming to do this season as they shed the title of the league’s unknown entity. They have a year together in the books, and they can no longer be seen as the youngsters lacking experience that opposition are unsure what to expect from.

“Without doubt the whole squad wants to really push on. It’s something completely new again now though in that we’re not the underdog – teams sort of know what’s coming from us.

“So, it’s about understanding how to deal with that and learning how to apply it on the field because teams will be a little more switched on and up for it against us this year. It’s about how we adapt to that and find ways to win.”

While every member of Rob Baxter’s squad is working towards an ultimate goal of a high league standing, there are personal targets that the Welshman wants to hit in his second season in Devon.

“My main target personally would be to become a mainstay in the starting XV – to be that big player for the team. Then, as a squad, we all want to be pushing for top four come the end of the season – because anything is possible if you reach that top end of the table.

“It’s all about taking it week-by-week and game-by-game to hope we’re in the mix come the end of the year.”