The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), with the agreement of Wales’ four professional sides, brought in a ruling in 2017 that those playing club rugby outside Wales were required to have 60 caps to represent their country, with the number dropping to 25 in February 2023.
The rule was initially brought in to try to keep top players in Wales and was dubbed ‘Gatland’s Law’, although former Wales head coach Warren Gatland has since insisted he never agreed with the policy.
Hawkins first appeared for Wales Under-20s at the age of 17 and made his senior debut against Australia in November 2022.
He played five internationals, with Gatland selecting him for all but one match of the 2023 Six Nations.
Amid the drastic cost-cutting by Wales’ professional regions in the 2022-23 season, Hawkins departed from Ospreys to Exeter, meaning he then became ineligible for international selection.
As a result, Hawkins missed the 2023 World Cup in France as well as two Six Nations campaigns.
