EXETER CHIEFS: ROB BAXTER DELIVERS FRANK ASSESSMENT ON WELSH INTERNATIONAL WHO ‘DISAPPOINTED’ HIM PREVIOUSLY

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter says Welsh international Joe Hawkins has now ‘set himself a standard’ following an improved showing in their final pre-season win over Ulster. 

The former Ospreys centre joined Exeter at the start of last season but had a tough time of it in his maiden campaign in the South West. He registered 20 appearances for the Chiefs in all competitions but was unable to force his way into the regular starting XV.

“Set a standard”

The Welsh ace has also featured in three of Exeter’s four pre-season games ahead of their opening Premiership game against Leicester Tigers, but his standout performance came in their 31-15 win over Ulster this weekend.

With a good performance now under his belt, Baxter detailed how he wants to see this improved version of Hawkins more often.

“I think he worked very in the off-season and pre-season, but I’ve actually been a little disappointed with him in the pre-season games to date; I wasn’t today,” Baxter told Planet Rugby.

“I thought he looked a big, strong and physical guy today, and that’s the bar I’m expecting him to set every week; I’m actually going to wander down to the changing rooms and say ‘Right, you’ve just set yourself a standard and I’m expecting to see that every week.’

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“I’m finally seeing something that I really wanted to see, and I’m pleased he’s done it today a week before we get into the Premiership.”

“That’s the Joe Hawkins I wanted to sign, and now we’ve got to see if we can make him better than he was today.”

Options in midfield

Hawkins isn’t the only centre who has caught the eye ahead of the Premiership season. Young gun Ben Hammersley has been deployed at 13 in three of Exeter’s pre-season fixtures despite bursting onto the scene as a winger last year, and Baxter believes he is looking at home in the midfield.

“He’s (Hammersley) looking more and more comfortable, he’s getting more involvements in the game and defensively we’re looking more sound. It’s been a long time since he’s played in the midfield, so he needed time.”

Will Rigg also looked in fine touch in pre-season, as did emerging talent Zack Wimbush, however, Baxter detailed the Hong Kong-native has sustained an injury which could rule him out of the start of the season.

“It also looks like Zack Wimbush has picked up a foot injury, so it looks like those three (Hawkins, Hammersley and Rigg) are likely to feature quite a lot in the coming weeks, and today was a good sign from all of them”

Elsewhere, Exeter will also be without centres Henry Slade and new recruit Tamati Tua, who will miss the opening of the Premiership campaign through injury.

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2024-09-16T09:50:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd