Gloucester Rugby’s head coach George Skivington faces a wealth of leadership options for the upcoming 2026/27 season after Dewi Lake, one of his new summer signings, was confirmed as captain of Wales ahead of fellow newcomer Jac Morgan.
Last season, Skivington entrusted the club captaincy to scrum-half Tomos Williams, likely aiming to retain the talented Welshman. However, Williams has now chosen to join Saracens, leaving the captaincy role open for the next chapter.
Among the contenders, former Gloucester captain Lewis Ludlow remains a strong candidate. Meanwhile, England internationals Seb Atkinson and Arthur Clark, who served as vice-captains throughout the 2025/26 campaign, have both demonstrated exceptional leadership. Atkinson, a centre, especially impressed and both players have earned their places in England’s Nations Championship squad.
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Nonetheless, it’s Gloucester’s new Welsh recruits — hooker Dewi Lake and flanker Jac Morgan — who command attention. Both were virtually inseparable in the race to lead Wales this summer.
Lake had previously captained Wales in eight Tests during the 2025 autumn series and the 2026 Six Nations while Morgan recovered from a shoulder surgery. Now both forwards are included in the Wales squad, with head coach Steve Tandy opting for continuity by naming Lake as primary captain.
Their campaign begins this weekend with an uncapped match against the Barbarians at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. This fixture falls outside the official Test window, meaning only players based in Wales are available for selection, giving Lake a pivotal leadership role.
Lake and Morgan share a strong leadership bond, having co-captained Wales at the 2023 World Cup under former coach Warren Gatland.
Reflecting on their partnership, Lake said: “I speak to Jac every day. We are lucky to have an incredible relationship, both on and off the field. Whatever happens, we support each other fully. It’s about the two of us together. I know he will back me in any way he can, just as I would for him.”
Following the Barbarians fixture, Wales faces challenging July Tests against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa in the Nations Championship, with Lake’s leadership poised to be crucial for the squad.