Welsh team 'begin bid' to sign exiled Wales star after admission over international future

Cardiff Rugby have began their bid to bring exiled Wales star Joe Hawkins back to his homeland, according to reports.

Hawkins, 22, was a rising star at the Ospreys and earned five caps for his country while playing for the Swansea-based side, however his international career was halted when he moved to Exeter Chiefs at the beginning of last season.

The current WRU rules state that players not playing in Wales must have at least 25 caps to be considered for international selection.

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And now RugbyPass claim the Arms Park outfit are acting on their interest and have started their pursuit of Hawkins in earnest, with a view to the centre potentially re-igniting his international career from next season.

WalesOnline understands that Cardiff are not the only Welsh team interested in bringing Hawkins back this side of the Severn Bridge, with the Pontardawe RFC product having made his feelings clear over wanting to add to his five appearances in a Wales shirt in the future.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d still love to play for Wales,” Hawkins told The Rugby Paper a few weeks ago. “However, I had to weigh up what’s best for me. I wanted to come down here and fulfil my potential and just enjoy my rugby.

“I didn’t want to be just thinking about international windows and thinking I’ve got this many games and then back in to play for Wales.

“I’m still only 22, so I’ve still got a lot of years left ahead of me and, hopefully, if I’m good enough, then who knows what will happen down the line with Wales.”

Warren Gatland has also stated recently he would "love" to have Hawkins, whose last Wales appearance came in the Six Nations win over Italy in March last year, available to him, with his midfield jigsaw proving a difficult one to solve of late.