Joe Hawkins: Exeter have ‘no agenda’ amid Wales return talk
Hawkins played 21 games in his first year at Sandy Park, a move that ended his career with 25 caps for Wales.
He started the first five games of the season but was substituted in all of those games – a loss in each of those games – and plummeted down the pecking order in the Chiefs’ midfield.
“It might have been tough for him, I don’t mind admitting that,” Baxter said.
“He was great about it, didn’t lose his temper and just kept doing it. He knew we were asking some things of him and now we just feel like Will Rigg has given us a little bit more.”
Gatland selected Hawkins for all but one of the 2023 Six Nations before he left the Ospreys amid drastic cost cuts across regions.
The Wales coach said he hopes Hawkins can return as a potential contender for the No.10 jersey in question.
But Baxter warned Hawkins that his chances of landing the position with the Chiefs were slim.
“I understand why some people might think (fly half) is his best position,” he added.
“I considered Joe when I was 10 but we didn’t get a chance early on because there were limited options in midfield and we needed to balance resources.
“It’s difficult to rotate now and hit him in the No. 10 position because we’re under pressure and we need to win games.”
