Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that Wales forwards Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake will join the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, leaving the Ospreys amid ongoing uncertainty in Welsh professional rugby.

Player Backgrounds

Jac Morgan, 25, has emerged as one of Wales’ top flankers. He began his career in the Scarlets academy, making his senior debut in 2019 before transferring to Ospreys in 2021. Morgan earned his senior Wales debut in a victory over Scotland in 2022 and has since amassed 24 international caps, including participation in the victorious British & Irish Lions tour of Australia earlier this year. A shoulder injury sustained recently could rule him out of the 2026 Six Nations, but his career trajectory remains highly promising.

Dewi Lake, 26, has established himself as a key hooker for Wales. He captained the national team during the summer tour of Japan and is expected to continue in the leadership role after Morgan’s injury. Lake earned his Wales debut in the 2022 Six Nations opener against Ireland and has accumulated 26 international caps.

“I’m delighted to sign for Gloucester Rugby ahead of the 2026-27 season,” Lake said. “It’s a great club with brilliant supporters. I know a lot of players at Gloucester who speak highly of the environment and I’m excited for the future. I’m also looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Gallagher Premiership.”

Morgan also reflected on his move:

“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 for the rest of my life.”

Implications for Wales Eligibility

Under Welsh Rugby’s 25-cap rule, players who move abroad may be ineligible for national selection if they have fewer than 25 international caps. However, appearances for the British & Irish Lions are included in the cap count, meaning Morgan’s total rises from 24 to 26, ensuring his continued eligibility for Wales selection.

Context: Welsh Rugby Restructure

The departures come at a critical time for Welsh professional rugby, as the WRU plans to reduce the number of men’s professional clubs from four to three by 2027. Proposed changes would see one club in Cardiff, one in the east, and one in the west, potentially creating a survival battle between the Ospreys and Scarlets.

Additionally, Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media are reportedly considering taking over WRU-owned Cardiff, which would help achieve the target of three professional sides. With more than 80 Wales-based players out of contract at the end of the season, clubs face significant challenges in retaining talent during this period of uncertainty.

Gloucester’s Perspective

The signings of Morgan and Lake are strategic for Gloucester, who will lose Tomos Williams at the end of the season. Director of Rugby George Skivington emphasized the importance of integrating top Welsh talent while respecting the wider goal of strengthening Welsh rugby. Both players bring leadership, international experience, and Premiership-ready skills, making them ideal acquisitions for Kingsholm.