WRU vows to fix system after Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake exits

Double blow sparks urgent response

The departures of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have been described as a hammer blow for both the Ospreys and Welsh rugby as a whole.

The WRU is already in the process of restructuring the professional game, with plans to cut the number of regional teams from four to three. But the exits raise fears that Wales’ best players could increasingly be based in England.

“We want Welsh talent at the heart of the system”

A WRU spokesperson said:

“We are striving to build a world‑class system in Wales to maximise the potential for the success of our professional clubs and national teams.

We want Welsh talent to be at the heart of the system. We are, of course, disappointed when players leave the system in Wales.

But we are also realistic that top‑class players will get opportunities to explore new experiences and to challenge themselves as they develop their careers.”

Contracts guaranteed, academy to return

The WRU says all existing player contracts have been guaranteed, with financial support pledged for new signings. Letters have been sent to regional clubs and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association confirming backing for priority deals.

Plans also include the return of a national academy to strengthen the pathway and produce more elite players.

Still eligible for Wales

Both Morgan and Lake will remain eligible to represent Wales despite signing for Gloucester. The controversial 25‑cap law is currently under review.

The WRU added:

“As we work to create a truly world‑class rugby environment in Wales in the next years, we hope that players like Jac and Dewi – and others – will come back to Wales. We wish them both the very best in the meantime – and we still have them at the heart of our national game from an international perspective.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Jac Morgan to leave Ospreys at end of season
Ospreys captain confirms Gloucester move after 51 appearances and Lions tour.

Dewi Lake to join Gloucester at end of season
Wales hooker and Ospreys stalwart announces departure after 71 appearances for the club.

#DewiLake #GloucesterRugby #JacMorgan #Ospreys #Rugby #WalesRugby #WelshRugby #WRU

Dewi Lake to join Gloucester at end of season

The announcement follows confirmation that fellow Ospreys captain Jac Morgan will also leave the club at the end of the season to join Gloucester.

Pathway product departs

A product of the Ospreys development pathway, Dewi Lake has made 71 appearances for the club and 26 for Wales, captaining his country on multiple occasions.

Head Coach Mark Jones said:

“Dewi is an incredible professional and has emerged as a key member of our leadership group in recent seasons. His contributions will be missed both on and off the field.

Similarly to Jac, the club put in a lot of hard work to try and keep Dewi, but this became increasingly difficult with the current landscape and uncertainty in Welsh rugby.”

“Special moments will live long in my memory”

Dewi Lake said:

“The Ospreys is a club that means a lot to me on so many different levels so making the decision to move was something that I spent a lot of time thinking over.

My whole career to this point has been with this team and there have been so many special moments on the way… Coming through the pathway, making my debut, the first time I captained the side and the friendships I’ve forged with players and staff, will all live long in my memory.”

#DewiLake #GloucesterRugby #hooker #Ospreys #Rugby #WalesRugby #WelshRugby

Scarlets and Ospreys dominate Wales squad for South Africa finale amid regional rugby uncertainty

The Principality Stadium fixture (kick‑off 3.10pm, live on TNT Sports, discovery+ and S4C) is Wales’ final Quilter Nations Series match of 2025. Tandy said the group was “excited” to build on recent performances despite being restricted to Wales‑based players because the game falls outside World Rugby’s international window.

Reinforcements after player exodus

Thirteen players have returned to their clubs in England and France this week, including Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, Tomos Williams and Louis Rees‑Zammit. Their departure left gaps across the squad, particularly in the back three, where Josh Adams is also suspended following his red card against Japan.

In response, Tandy has called up Ospreys forwards James Ratti and uncapped prop Garyn Phillips, Scarlets wing Ellis Mee and Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd. Mee, 22, made his Test debut in the Six Nations against Ireland and is regarded as strong in the air and dangerous in broken play. Ratti brings versatility in the lock and back row, while Phillips, who toured Japan last summer, is rewarded with his first senior call‑up. Lloyd replaces Cardiff teammate Liam Belcher, who is sidelined with a neck injury.

Scarlets and Ospreys at the core

Scarlets and Ospreys dominate the selection, with 18 of the 30 players drawn from west Wales. The Ospreys provide 12 names, including captain Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Davies, Morgan Morse and Kieran Hardy. The Scarlets contribute six, among them Taine Plumtree, Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee.

Their prominence underlines the strength of the two clubs in supplying talent to the national side, even as both face uncertainty under the WRU’s proposed regional rugby restructuring. Civic leaders and supporters have warned that the changes risk destabilising west Wales rugby, despite its players continuing to form the backbone of the national squad.

Fresh faces and uncapped talent

The revised squad also features several uncapped players. Ospreys trio Garyn Phillips, James Fender and Ben Warren are joined by Cardiff prop Danny Southworth in seeking their first senior appearances. Their inclusion reflects the WRU’s commitment to blooding new talent alongside established internationals, with the autumn finale offering a chance to test depth against the world champions.

Springboks reshuffle too

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has also been forced into changes, with 15 players returning to clubs in Japan and South Africa ahead of a full round of United Rugby Championship fixtures. “We are going to lose quite a few players,” Erasmus admitted, adding that the Springboks would train with only 25 players this week. Despite the absences, he stressed the importance of the clash with Wales for world ranking points, describing it as “another massive Test match” to close the year.

Full Wales squad

Forwards: Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Garyn Phillips (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Ben Warren (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), James Fender (Ospreys), James Ratti (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Harri Deaves (Ospreys).

Backs: Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Reuben Morgan‑Williams (Ospreys), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets).

Match details

• Wales v South Africa
• Quilter Nations Series 2025
• Principality Stadium, Cardiff
• Saturday 29 November, 3.10pm
• Live coverage: TNT Sports, discovery+ and S4C; commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru

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Ospreys blank Zebre in Bridgend to claim first URC win of the season

The region had opened with two defeats in South Africa, but tries from centre Phil Cokanasiga, number eight Morgan Morse and lock James Ratti, plus nine points from the boot of Wales fly-half Dan Edwards, secured a first win in front of a 4,519 crowd in Bridgend.

Fast start

After flanker Harri Deaves had led the side out on his 50th appearance, the Ospreys started confidently with Cokanasiga dummying his way over the try line after 15 minutes, finishing off a break from midfield partner Keiran Williams.

Moments later, Ospreys struck again from a stolen Zebre lineout. Ross Moriarty carried strongly down the left before Williams’ offload released 20‑year‑old Morse, who showed his pace to race clear for a second score.

Edwards converted both for a 14-0 lead, but Ospreys lost scrum‑half Kieran Hardy to a wrist injury before the break — a concern for new Wales coach Steve Tandy, watching from the stands.

Second half frustration

The Italians of Zebre, who had won their opening two games, offered little in attack but frustrated Ospreys after the restart.

A knock‑on denied Williams a try created by full‑back Jack Walsh, while replacement back Tom Florence failed to give a walk‑in pass to Reuben Morgan‑Williams.

Edwards stretched the lead with a penalty on 58 minutes before the versatile Ratti, switched to the back row, powered over with six minutes left. Edwards’ third conversion sealed the 24–0 scoreline, but further chances for a fourth try went begging.

Reaction and context

The result ended a run of four straight league defeats stretching back to April for Mark Jones’ side and marked a proud moment for Bridgend‑born captain Dewi Lake, who skippered the side at their temporary home.

Zebre’s miserable record in Wales continued — now 39 defeats in 41 visits — while Ospreys move on to face Glasgow Warriors next weekend. Zebre host unbeaten Stormers.

Teams

Ospreys XV:

Walsh, Kasende, P Cokanasiga, K Williams, Giles; Edwards, Hardy; G Thomas, Lake (captain), Botha, Ratti, Sutton, Moriarty, Deaves, Morse.

Replacements:

L Lloyd, Phillips, Warren, R Davies, Fender, Morgan‑Williams, Florence, Hopkins.

Zebre XV:

Montemauri, Pani, Zanon, Lucchin, Gesi; Farias, Dominguez; Buonfiglio (captain), Ribaldi, Nocera, Canali, Ortombina, Volpi, Bianchi, Ruggeri.

Replacements:

Quattrini, Hasa, Pitinari, Carrera, Locatelli, Varotto, Morisi, M Belloni.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) Assistants: Ben Connor (WRU), Aaron Parry (WRU) TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

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