Dewi Lake, the Ospreys hooker set to make a thrilling switch to Gloucester, has been confirmed as captain for Wales' summer international campaign. This is no surprise – Lake has long been the heartbeat of the Welsh squad, and his leadership prowess knows no bounds.
But what's fascinating about this appointment is that it comes ahead of fit-again flanker Jac Morgan, who had previously led the side with such distinction. It's a testament to the depth of talent in Wales' ranks, and Lake's ability to inspire from the front. He's had plenty of experience leading the Welsh squad, having captained them for eight Tests during the 2025 autumn series and the 2026 Six Nations while Morgan was sidelined by injury.
The pair famously co-captained Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup under former coach Warren Gatland, highlighting their strong leadership partnership. And when Jac Morgan led Wales in the opening game of the Steve Tandy era against Argentina before dislocating his left shoulder, Lake was right behind him – providing support and motivation every step of the way.
Both Lake and Morgan have been included in the squad, and will continue their club careers together at Gloucester after the summer internationals. It's a partnership that has sparked real excitement among fans, who love watching these two leaders inspire each other to new heights. As Dewi Lake himself said, "It's always a massive honour to captain Wales. We have an incredible leadership group and are full of leaders...so it's not a job I will do alone." And as for his relationship with Morgan? They're more than just teammates – they're a 'pair' who will support each other regardless of who holds the official captaincy.
Now, on to Saturday's match against the Barbarians. It presents a unique situation, with 13 players currently contracted to English and French clubs unable to participate due to the World Rugby international window. But despite these absences, Wales still have a star-studded squad at their disposal – led by Lake, Morgan, and Leicester-bound Dragons forward Aaron Wainwright. The men's game kicks off at 14:00 BST, followed by the Wales women's team at 17:00 BST.
The women's team, under head coach Sean Lynn, will also be led by a returning captain – Alex Callender. This influential back-row forward missed the Six Nations due to an ankle injury but is now fit and raring to go against the Barbarians. And as they prepare for the WXV Global Series in September and October, Wales fans can't wait to see what these talented teams have in store.