Lake to captain Wales in summer internationals

ByChris Kirwan

BBC Sport Wales

Wales have named hooker Dewi Lake as captain for their summer internationals ahead of fit-again flanker Jac Morgan.

Lake led the side for eight Tests in the 2025 autumn series and 2026 Six Nations while Morgan was injured.

The British and Irish Lions flanker captained Wales in the first game of the Steve Tandy era against Argentina but dislocated his left shoulder when scoring a try.

The Gloucester-bound Ospreys have both been named in the squad for the summer internationals, which start against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, and Lake will be skipper.

"It's always a massive honour to captain Wales," he said.

"We have an incredible leadership group and are full of leaders - Dafydd Jenkins, Jac, Tomos Williams, Josh Adams - so it's not a job I will do alone."

Morgan and Lake co-captained Wales at the 2023 World Cup under former boss Warren Gatland.

Tandy has opted to stick with the hooker as his primary leader for the summer, which features July Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in the Nations Championship.

"Jac has led us incredibly and was unlucky with his injury or he would still be in this role," said Lake.

"We are lucky to have an incredible relationship on and off the field. Whichever way it went, the other was always going to be full of support.

"We have co-captained before. He has been captain and I have helped, I have been captain and he has helped."

Lake and Morgan will both swap Ospreys for Gloucester after representing Wales this summer.

The hooker might be the official captain but stressed it will be a job share by closely-connected forwards.

"That's how we work, it's the two of us together and I know that he will support me in any way he can," he said.

"There will be times when I lean on him a lot and it would have been the same if the decision was the other way.

"We come as a pair and I know Jac will be in my corner and there whenever I need him."

Lake, Morgan and Leicester-bound Dragons forward Aaron Wainwright are available for the uncapped Baa-Baas fixture.

However, the 13 players currently on the books of English and French-based clubs are unavailable because the match falls outside World Rugby's international window.

Wales men kick off a double-header against the Barbarians at 14:00 BST with the women following at 17:00 BST.

Sean Lynn's side are building towards the WXV Global Series, which pits them against South Africa and USA in Cardiff in September before two away October Tests in Japan.

Wales will be captained in London by fit-again Alex Callender, the influential back-row forward who missed the Six Nations with an ankle injury.

Kate Williams started that campaign as skipper before injury led to Bethan Lewis taking over.

"I'm really excited about the game and it's a massive honour to be captain and lead the girls out," said Callender.