Joe Hawkins does not qualify for 25 caps to remain eligible for Wales while playing club rugby outside the country. Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Warren Gatland has admitted playing for Wales is not the same after seeing promising 20-year-old center Joe Hawkins cut from his World Cup plans.
The five-time Hawkins paid a heavy price for his decision to leave the Ospreys and join the Exeter Chiefs on a major contract next season.
One of the few success stories in an otherwise disappointing Welsh rugby season. He was told by the Professional Rugby Board that he was no longer eligible to play for his country.
When Gatland announced a 54-man training squad for this year's World Cup in France, he said that Hawkins' promotion to the English Premier League at the end of his first season as an adult was indicative of the shape in which cash-strapped Welsh rugby is now. .
Playing for Wales, he says, is no longer as attractive as it used to be, and Hawkins' decision to go to Exeter is living proof of that fact.
“Yes, of course," Gatland said. “I've talked about this before and we're not a reflection of the state of Welsh rugby for a number of years.
«Hopefully we should fix things. The regions should agree with the union and develop plans for further promotion.
«It is the responsibility of the national team and the regions to ensure that they are more successful so we can keep our players in. We thought Joe would play a big role in our future either in midfield or potentially in tenth place.
“He was offered a pretty big deal and he made the decision to move on. Now he feels that playing in England will be good for his future.»
Exeter Rugby Director Rob Baxter signed Hawkins on the grounds that he would be eligible for Wales, but after being declared ineligible by the PRB due to not has reached his 25 cap threshold to play outside the country, he can now count on being available to play. all Seasons.
“Players with more than 25 caps can still be selected even if they play outside of Wales, while players with fewer caps are ineligible. Challenges for unrestricted players who are already contracted (before March 31 this year) outside of Wales are allowed as part of the policy,” PRB said.
«For the sake of clarity, we have confirmed that Osprey center Joe Hawkins (who plays in five matches) does not meet any criteria that would make him available for selection upon registration to play rugby outside of Wales.»
The Dragons are blocking Will Rowands, who will join Racing 92 next season, he needs to play two more caps fairly quickly this summer to keep his qualification. He missed the Six Nations with injury and needs two more caps to reach the 25 cap threshold.
Wales will play three warm-up matches in the summer before heading to France to take on Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia in Group C, with Gatland having a 10-player no-limit training squad.
Japanese castle Cory Hill has been withdrawn from Yokohama Canon Eagles. Galtand also used the new World Rugby eligibility laws to include seven-time England international Henry Thomas.
Montpellier Prop Henry Thomas (center) was called by Warren Gatland to a preliminary squad of 54 men. Photo: David. Rogers/Getty Images
Thomas, 31, who now plays for Montpellier, has a Welsh father, Nigel, who used to play London Welsh. He last played for England against New Zealand in 2014.
"We talked to Henry a few years ago, and now we have a lot of focus on the tight five. He was in Montpellier. He was involved in Montpellier's league win and he brings something new and gives us more competition,» Gatland said.
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