Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, April 3.
Exeter make double swoop on Ospreys
Exeter Chiefs have followed up their raid on the Ospreys for Joe Hawkins by signing his Swansea.com Stadium team-mate Ethan Roots.
The New Zealander performed outstandingly in the Heineken Champions Cup last 16 match against Saracens on Sunday, the latest in a run of impressive performances for the Welsh team. But there won’t be many more, with Exeter snapping him up to complete a double swoop in south west Wales.
Roots exits at a time of pay cuts and job losses in Welsh rugby.
READ MORE: Breakthrough Wales player quits Welsh rugby to put World Cup and Test future in jeopardy
He said: “Wales has been a home away from home for me and everyone and the Ospreys have played a key in helping me to settle. I have had the privilege of playing with some special players during my time here and want to thank the fans for all their support.”
The back rower signed a two-year deal with the Ospreys in 2021 after arriving from Canterbury Crusaders. The hard-hitting 23-year-old has since brought an edge to the Welsh team’s pack, a point head coach Toby Booth acknowledges.
“Ethan is a tough, physical player and has always given 100% when he has stepped on the field for the Ospreys,” said Booth. “He has always brought an abrasive edge to our team. We will miss that. He has improved in his time here and it is a shame to see him move on. Players have short careers, and he was transparent in the whole process about securing a future for himself and his family.”
As they did with Hawkins, the Ospreys wished Roots the best of luck in his next chapter.
Josh Adams commits to staying with Cardiff
Wales and Cardiff winger Josh Adams says he is going nowhere after being the subject of transfer interest from France.
The 27-year-old had been of interest to Lyon, who were willing to offer a transfer fee to free him from his Cardiff contract early.
Adams, who scored two tries to help Cardiff defeat Sale 28-27 in the Challenge Cup last-16 match at the weekend, told BBC Sport: "I am going nowhere. I am with Cardiff and under contract."
He said the certainty around a new six-year financial deal being signed between the Welsh Rugby Union and Wales' four regions had benefited players' on-field performances.
"The less it has been talked about the more we have been able to focus on games," he said. "I think you can see across the regions when we manage to block out things and things get sorted we can put in performances.
"I don't know who would have put money on us beating a Sale team like that, not many people. It just goes to show when you get things right and we come together that's the sort of result you can get."
Hawkins explains move to Exeter
Joe Hawkins has explained why he has opted to leave Welsh rugby for a move to England. The centre has joined Exeter Chiefs from the Ospreys on a long-term deal.
There is potential there for the 20-year-old to have jeopardised his Test future under the selection rule that stops already-capped exiled players from playing for Wales unless they have made 25 or more appearances for their country. Hawkins has five caps.
The expectation is that his contract in Devon will start on July 1. On the surface, that would make him ineligible to play at the World Cup.
But the youngster is looking forward to his next club chapter, saying: “I’m really excited about the move. It’s a new challenge for me and something a bit different, especially moving away from my home region, who I will always be thankful to for giving me the playing opportunities that I've had up until now. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.”
Indeed, the 20-year-old will be welcomed by a number of familiar faces at Exeter, having played alongside the likes of Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John and Christ Tshiunza at age-grade levels.
“I know a few of the boys already, which will definitely help the settling in process,” added Hawkins. “I’ve spoken to a few of them and they’ve told me plenty of good things about the club and the culture that exists down there.
“Also, chatting with [coaches] Rob [Baxter] and Ali [Hepher], I liked what they had to say about how they want to play and how they want to create a new team capable of challenging at the very top. That really appealed to me, I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to be there at the start of this journey.
“Over the years the Chiefs have been known for bringing through youngsters and giving them their chance on the biggest stages. I want to be part of that and I want to try and take the club onwards and upwards.”
Having played all his club rugby in his native Wales, the Swansea-born star is also relishing tackling the Gallagher Premiership for the first time. “Obviously, I’ve played against Premiership sides in the Champions Cup in the past and the sides are always big and physical. It’s a tough league for sure and the challenge is there every week. For me, it’s something new, but it’s a challenge I really want to take on. As I said, being part of the journey that Rob and the club wants to go on is something I’m keen to be involved with.”
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