{
  "id": 17541381,
  "title": "Centre Hawkins determined to make World Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/centre-hawkins-determined-to-make-world-cup",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-01T05:38:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/centre-hawkins-determined-world-cup-045623025.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Wales centre Joe Hawkins has expressed his determination to make the 2024 World Cup in Australia, stating he is more motivated after missing the previous tournament in France. Hawkins, 24, was ineligible to play for Wales during the 2023 World Cup due to the Professional Rugby Board's (PRB) 25-cap rule, which bars players with fewer than 25 caps from representing the national team unless they are part of a Welsh club. Hawkins returned to the national side after signing with Scarlets in 2023.\n\nHawkins, who has played 13 internationals for Wales, acknowledges that it would have been nice to have a World Cup under his belt. However, he is now eager to contribute to a potential World Cup appearance in the next 12 months. Wales has scheduled at least 12 matches leading up to the World Cup, starting with the Nations Championship opener against Japan in Cardiff next Saturday.\n\nThe national team coach, Steve Tandy, has given Hawkins and his Scarlets partner Eddie James a significant role in the midfield. The pair have been the preferred starting options for Tandy since taking charge in September 2025, having been together for seven matches. Hawkins and James have developed a strong on-field relationship, and Hawkins believes their partnership will strengthen as they get more game time together.\n\nWales head coach Steve Tandy has been experimenting with various midfield combinations, often selecting different starting pairs in the 13 games since taking over in September 2025. Hawkins and James have emerged as the most prolific duo, forming part of the preferred option for the head coach.",
  "summary": "Wales centre Joe Hawkins says missing the previous World Cup has made him more determined to make the next global tournament in Australia in 12 months.",
  "key_points": [
    "Joe Hawkins determined to play in 2024 World Cup in Australia.",
    "24-year-old Hawkins ineligible for 2023 World Cup due to PRB rule.",
    "Hawkins and Eddie James preferred starting pair for Wales coach Tandy."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Hawkins's emergence as a preferred midfield option provides Steve Tandy with a settled partnership to anchor the Welsh squad as they prepare for the upcoming tournament in Australia.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}