Meet Joe Hawkins, the new Wales captain with rugby in his DNA

To use his own words, taking up rugby was a bit of “a no brainer” for new Wales U2srcs 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 U2srcs 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