Wales international Joe Hawkins signs for Scarlets

Scarlets announced their first new signing for the 2025-26 season - Wales international Joe Hawkins.

The 22-year-old will link up with the squad in the summer following two seasons with Exeter Chiefs.

Able to slot in at fly-half or centre, the versatile playmaker has been seen as one of the brightest young talents to come through the Welsh system in recent years.

A product of the Ospreys pathway, Joe first appeared for Wales U20s at the age of 17 and after a string of headline-grabbing performances quickly graduated to senior honours, winning the first of his five Wales caps against the Wallabies during the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

He went on to start in four of Wales’ matches in the 2023 Six Nations. Joe joined the Chiefs from the Ospreys in 2023 and has featured 33 times for Rob Baxter’s side, playing his part in the win over Ealing Trailfinders last weekend which booked the club a place in the Premiership Cup final.

Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “Joe is a player of big potential and we are delighted to bring him home and to the Scarlets. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming him to Parc y Scarlets and seeing him flourish in the Scarlets shirt.

“He is a player who has the ability to play in a number of positions and is further proof that we are building a young, exciting team that wants to compete.

“From my numerous conversations with Joe it is clear that he is a dedicated individual with a winning mentality. Croeso Joe.”

Speaking about his imminent move from the West Country to West Wales, Joe said: “I’m really looking forward to being back home In Wales with the Scarlets and doing my best to add to an already exciting young squad.

“Having watched the team and speaking with Dwayne, the attractive brand of rugby they play is something I want to be a part of and plays to my strengths. I’m excited to get started at Parc y Scarlets, play in front of the passionate supporters and push on in my career.”

Joe’s signing is the latest announcement regarding the make-up of next season’s squad following the news that talented backs Macs Page and Tomi Lewis have both agreed new contracts with the club.