Hawkins happy to be home again and URC introduces Independent TMO process to deliver faster, more accurate decisions
- URC Media
- Sep 25
- 6 min read
Joe Hawkins says the two years he spent in international exile in England made him realise just how much he loved playing for Wales.
The five-time capped utility back moved from the Ospreys to Exeter in 2023 and that made him ineligible to represent his country under the WRU’s 25-cap rule.
However, he’s now returned across the bridge to join the Scarlets, which means he is able to resume his Test career, if selected.
“It’s nice to be back,” says the 23-year-old, as he prepares for Saturday’s URC opener at home to Munster Rugby.
“I wanted to fulfil my potential. What I had gained ability-wise from Exeter, I probably couldn’t have been pushed on anymore, really.
“The way the Scarlets play rugby suits the way I like to play. I felt like joining them was the next step on my journey of being the best player I can be - to really try and drive that side of my game.
“Obviously, the potential of maybe playing for Wales again is a big thing as well.
“The two years I had in Exeter, it did make me realise how much I do love playing for Wales and how much I relish playing international rugby.”
Hawkins made his Test debut against Australia in November 2022, starting at inside centre and retained his spot for the following Six Nations.
But then, in April 2023, came the news that he had signed for Exeter.
“It was obviously a tough decision, having just played my first season internationally,” he recalls.
“Everything I wanted to do was play for Wales and obviously, there was a World Cup on the horizon as well.
“But, as everyone knows, there was a lot of stuff going on in Welsh rugby at the time and for me, as a 20-year-old, I just had to try and secure my future in the professional game.
“But I’ve also always wanted to try and fulfil my potential. That’s always been my goal and I felt like Exeter was the best place for me to do that.
“So that was a big reason behind it. It wasn’t just an on-field decision; it was a life decision as well off the field. It was my first time moving away from home, living on my own and having to do everything myself.
“I do think I have reaped the rewards from that maturity-wise and just life experience from going down there.”
It did, however, mean putting his international career on hold, with the WRU confirming he had made himself ineligible with the move.
“I knew there was a potential I wouldn’t be able to play for Wales by going there,” he says.
“But I was comfortable with that being the case, if I wasn’t able to.
“I felt the positives from developing as a player and a person outweighed the negatives, even losing out on Wales for a couple of years.
“Being so young, I just felt I always had the potential and time to be able to come back to Wales, which I have done now.
“As a young person, you are going to have ups and downs in your career.
“I look back on it and am I a better player now than I was when I went down there two years ago? Yes, I am. So for me, that is success.
“It has put me in the right direction in my career, coming back to Wales now.”
Rugby is very much in Hawkins’ blood, with his centre father David and scrumhalf uncle Dan having both represented Wales at age-grade level and had fine club careers.
“I have always been surrounded by rugby, so I was naturally going to go into it some way or another,” says the young man who now coaches his local Swansea Valley club, Ystalyfera.
The former Wales U20s skipper is equally at home at centre and fly-half, so where does he see his positional future lying?
“As I am getting older and a bit more mature, I feel myself leaning more towards playing at 10,” he replies.
“With what my strengths are, I want the ball in my hands a bit more. I want that responsibility of running the team and making decisions for the team.
“Playing at 12, when you are that one ball further away from the scrumhalf, you are not in the game as much sometimes.”
The Scarlets made the URC play-offs last season, so what are Hawkins’ hopes for his new club?
“We definitely don’t want to stand still. It’s not a case of ‘Well done, you finished eighth, let’s just try and do that again’.
“We want to improve on last season. We want to try and push on and finish top six.”
Looking at opening opponents Munster, he added: “They have always been one of the top sides in the URC and Europe.
“It’s a tough start but it’s something you want because come the end of that first game, we will certainly know where we are at as a team and where we are at in the league. So it’s really exciting.”
Meanwhile, an independent TMO process will be introduced to the United Rugby Championship, designed to improve the accuracy of key decisions and speed up the game.
Backed by Hawk-Eye technology, the Television Match Officials (TMO) will have real-time access to every broadcast camera feed at their fingertips.
The URC is the first of the world’s five major club competitions to implement this system, removing the reliance on broadcasters to support TMOs.
Previously, TMOs would need to communicate with a video operator in the broadcast truck to cycle through a number of camera angles to identify the key shot for decisions related to foul play and scoring.
Now, TMOs will be able to use touchscreen monitors to immediately select the most relevant camera angles, reducing delays in finding critical footage. They will also be able to view multiple angles simultaneously, helping to improve the accuracy of decision-making. The technology will also support the trial of the 20-minute red card.
Martin Anayi, CEO, United Rugby Championship, said: “Speeding up the game and improving accuracy around key decisions is paramount in pushing the URC forward. Fans and their teams want the best possible experience during the 80 minutes that means so much and now thanks to our innovative suppliers and the support of IPVanish our league is able to implement this game-changing upgrade.”
Implementation is supported by IPVanish, through our partnership with their parent company VIPRE Security Group, whose branding will appear on broadcast during TMO decisions. As part of their sponsorship of the URC, IPVanish will help promote and support the role of the league’s Television Match Officials. This is a crucial improvement for the URC, benefiting teams, coaches, players, fans and broadcast audiences alike.
Subbu Sthanu, IPVanish General Manager, said: “Getting the call right matters, whether it’s a TMO deciding a game-defining moment or a consumer choosing who to trust with their privacy online. This partnership allows us to connect with a passionate, tech-savvy audience and highlight the importance of privacy and security in day-to-day life.”
The hardware to support the Hawk-Eye system is currently being installed across all 12 Northern Hemisphere clubs, with operations phased in across the first three rounds. All 12 clubs will have matching workstation specifications.
In South Africa, Mobii - specialists in instant video technology - will provide the system, having already managed TMO operations there since 2021.
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