Gloucester Rugby looks set to benefit from a wealth of leadership talent ahead of the 2026/27 season, as newly signed hooker Dewi Lake has been confirmed as the captain of the Wales national team this summer, narrowly surpassing fellow newcomer and flanker Jac Morgan.
Following the departure of scrum-half Tomos Williams to Saracens after two seasons at Gloucester, head coach George Skivington faces the task of appointing a new club captain. With Williams’ exit, the captaincy role is wide open, and candidates such as former captain Lewis Ludlow are in contention. Additionally, England internationals Seb Atkinson and Arthur Clark have proven leadership capabilities after being named vice-captains during the 2025/26 campaign, with both selected for England’s upcoming Nations Championship squad.
Lake and Morgan, both dynamic forwards and recent Gloucester acquisitions, have been in a tight contest for Wales’ captaincy. Lake stepped up during Morgan’s injury absence last autumn and throughout the 2026 Six Nations, leading Wales in eight Tests while Morgan recovered from shoulder surgery. Now both players are fit and included in Wales' squad.
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Wales head coach Steve Tandy has chosen to maintain continuity by entrusting Lake with the captaincy as they prepare for a summer campaign beginning this weekend with an uncapped match against the Barbarians at Twickenham. Due to the match’s scheduling outside the Test window, players based outside Wales are unavailable, making Lake’s leadership even more critical.
The two leaders share a strong bond from their time as co-captains during the 2023 Rugby World Cup under former coach Warren Gatland. Reflecting their mutual respect, Lake commented, “I speak to Jac every day. We have an incredible relationship on and off the field. Whatever way it goes, we support each other completely—it’s the two of us together. Jac will be in my corner and ready to help whenever I need him.”
Following the Barbarians fixture at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, Wales will compete in the Nations Championship with Tests against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa lined up throughout July.