Joe Hawkins Signs for Scarlets for 2025/26 Season

Exeter Chiefs centre Joe Hawkins has agreed a move to Scarlets for the 2025/26 season.

The centre will return to Wales with the long-term goal of reigniting his international career. Since joining Chiefs in the summer of 2023 as Rob Baxter’s main signing, Hawkins has made 33 appearances in all competitions for Exeter.

“My time at the club the last two years have been the most enjoyable of my career so far,” Hawkins said. “I’ve made friends for life here and I’m really grateful to have had the chance to do so.

“Experiencing rugby and life outside of Wales for the first time is definitely the best decision I made for my personal development, and I know I am finishing my time here as a better player and person, which is credit to the environment at Exeter.

“I’m excited to head back home, get stuck into life at the Scarlets and push on in my career.”

The Swansea-born boy will line up in Scarlets’ red against his former side, Ospreys next season. A product of the Ospreys system, Hawkins first picked up a rugby ball at Pontardawe RFC in a rugby journey that led to a Welsh international debut at just 20-years-old.

Chiefs, already with Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza in their ranks, saw the raw potential in Hawkins’ playing style and moved to sign the adaptable back – who can play both centre and fly-half – to a Premiership contract.

After two seasons in Devon, Hawkins returns to his homeland in a hotly anticipated move.

“We’d like to thank Joe for all his hard work over the last couple of years,” Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said.

“He’s been a great guy to have around the club. Even in times where he’s had limited opportunities, he’s always remained really positive and been a good influence upon the squad, who he is very popular amongst.

“He’s really thriving at the moment, getting some good game time and he’s been particularly impressive throughout the Premiership Rugby Cup knockout stages we’re currently in.

“We wish him all the best in his move back to Wales, hopefully that will lead to more international recognition for him. He goes with all our best wishes, and he’ll always be welcome at Sandy Park.”

Hawkins will complete this season with Chiefs before moving to the United Rugby Championship side at Parc y Scarlets.