To use his own words, taking up rugby was a bit of “a no brainer” for new Wales U20s captain Joe Hawkins.
The sport was deeply embedded in his family roots and it’s been a major part of his life for pretty much as long as he can remember.
His father David played in the centre for Aberavon, Carmarthen Quins and Tonmawr, while his uncle Dan was a scrum-half for Swansea, Neath and Bonymaen.
Now it’s Joe’s turn to carry on the tradition.
Even though he’s only 19, he has already played some 18 senior games for the Ospreys and has now been chosen to skipper Wales U20s against France on Thursday night in the absence of the suspended Alex Mann.
It will be a proud day for the whole Hawkins clan.
“Rugby is obviously strong on my father’s side, but on my mother’s side as well,” he says.
“They are all involved with Ystalyfera RFC.
“Both sides of the family have always been big on rugby, so it was a bit inevitable really that I was going to go down that route as well.
“I think it was a bit of a no-brainer.
“My earliest memories are either of being over Aberavon or the bowl down at Carmarthen Quins, with the cycle track round the outside.
“When I think back to being little, I always remember how big I used to think the ramps were on the side of the pitch. When I go back now, I can’t believe how small they are!
Hawkins hails from Ystalyfera and attended Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, playing most of his junior rugby at Pontardawe RFC, ahead of a spell at Neath Athletic, with fly-half his position.
He also dabbled with rugby league, turning out for West Wales Raiders, and says he enjoyed the simplicity of the game.
Indeed, the players he particularly enjoyed watching when he was growing up both played the 13-man code - Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess.
But Union has always been his first love and after featuring for Swansea Valley in the Dewar Shield, he graduated through the Ospreys’ academy, switching to the centre.
Hawkins was first called up by Wales U20s aged just 17, marking him out as something of a prodigy, while he made his regional debut at 18.
He’s gone on to get significant game-time with the Ospreys, while also gaining Premiership experience at Aberavon.
His father David has played a significant role in his development, coaching his age-group team at Pontardawe RFC and following his progress avidly.
“It wasn’t too long ago he stopped playing, but as soon as my rugby changed to being on a Saturday, he stopped so he could follow me around,” said Joe.
“I think he’s living a career through me in a way at the minute.
“He has always pushed me to be as well-rounded as I could be.”
Hawkins certainly fits that bill, as someone who can carry hard and hit great lines, while also possessing the handling ability to act as a midfield playmaker.
“The way the game is going these days, you’ve got to be able to have it all,” he said.
“You can’t just be a one-trick pony.
“If you look at all the best teams in the world now, they have all got big ball-carrying centres.
“Harlequins have got Andre Esterhuizen, South Africa have got De Allende, England are always looking to get Tuilagi back.
“So I think doing the basics well and getting your team over the gain-line is probably the main job.
“But then having those extras once you have done that, to be able to open up a little bit with the skills, that’s a good thing to have.
“I always played outside half when I was younger.
“That’s probably where I get a lot of my ball-skills from now.”
As for taking on the Wales captaincy, he says: “It’s an honour and I’m just excited.”
So what will his first pre-match talk be like?
“I haven’t really thought about it much,” he says.
“It will probably just come to me at the time.
“I think I will definitely have a little bit of a different captaincy style to Alex, probably a little bit more calm. He likes to get revved up for the game!”
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