Wales leave Joe Hawkins out of World Cup squad but select Will Rowlands
Wales have omitted Joe Hawkins from their preliminary World Cup training squad. The Ospreys centre has been capped five times since making his international debut last November, but doubts were cast over the 20-year-old’s eligibility following his decision to join Exeter next season.
Hawkins falls short of the 25-cap clause for players plying their trade outside of Wales, and the Welsh Rugby Union had to decide whether he signed a contract with Exeter prior to making his debut. If he had done, Hawkins would still be eligible for international rugby because he was an uncapped player.
The forward Will Rowlands has been named in a 54-player training squad for the tournament which starts in France in September. Rowlands, who will leave the Dragons for Paris-based Racing 92 in December, has won 23 caps and could reach the qualifying mark in pre-World Cup friendlies against England and South Africa.
There was no room for Scarlets prop Wyn Jones, who was part of the British
& Irish Lions squad in 2021, while the Ospreys centre Owen Watkin also misses out.
Ten uncapped players have been named in the squad, including Montpellier prop Henry Thomas who won seven caps for England, with his last appearance coming in 2014.
Cory Hill has also been called up following the recent change in the selection criteria on exiled players. The 31year-old, who can play at lock or blindside, earned his last Wales cap in 2021 and is plying his trade for the Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan.
Leigh Halfpenny, who is due to leave Scarlets at the end of the season, is named in the squad alongside Gareth Anscombe, who missed the Six Nations through injury.
Anscombe faces competition at flyhalf from Dan Biggar and Owen Williams, while Sam Costelow has also been named.
Wales will start their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Bordeaux on 10 September, with their pool also including Australia, Georgia and Portugal.