Dewi Lake: ‘Huge boost’ as future Wales captain inks new deal with Ospreys

Jared Wright
Wales hooker Dewi Lake.

Wales hooker Dewi Lake.

Wales hooker Dewi Lake has penned a new deal with the Ospreys, the Welsh region has confirmed.

The explosive hooker has committed to his services to the side in a further boost following the recent re-signing of fly-half Owen Williams.

Future captain

“I’m really happy to have signed a new deal. There’s something special about playing for a team that represents your home region, and that’s exactly what the Ospreys mean to me,” Lake said on confirmation of his contract.

“It’s an honour to don the jersey week in and week out, and I feel proud to be part of a legacy that includes some of the best players in Welsh rugby history.

“But it’s not just the history that makes me excited to stay with Ospreys Rugby – it’s also the future. We have a talented and hungry squad, as well as a staff setup that’s committed to helping us achieve our goals.”

The 23-year-old has been tipped for a bright future, with Wales legend Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies predicting that he will captain the national side.

“Next Welsh captain. Heard it here.” Davies tweeted in July last year.

To date, Lake has played 39 times for Ospreys and captained the Wales U20s side in 2019.

The hooker missed the 2023 Six Nations due to injury but has eight Test caps to his name. He also featured in all three matches against South Africa last July.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth also spoke highly of his hooker’s leadership.

“Dewi is a fantastic player, and we’re thrilled to have him on board with us,” Booth said. “He’s a natural leader and has already established himself as a key player at the Ospreys.”

“We believe that he’s got a huge amount of potential, and we’re really excited to see him develop over the next few seasons.”

Ospreys’ re-signings and departures

The converted back-rower’s commitment to the side was dubbed a ‘huge boost’ in the club’s statement and followed the re-signings of Owen Williams, Morgan Morris, Jac Morgan and Keiran Williams.

It also comes after Dan Lydiate confirmed his departure from the Ospreys, with Alun Wyn Jones hinting at his.

Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots are off to Exeter Chiefs, with Elvis Taione, Bradley Davies, Rhys Webb, Stephen Myler and Gareth Anscombe set to leave the side.

Lake is a product of the Ospreys’ pathways, and Booth added that the side are committed to developing home-grown stars.

“We’re committed to developing home-grown talent at the Ospreys, and Dewi is a shining example of that,” he said. “We want to give young players like him the opportunity to grow within our system, and it’s great to see that philosophy coming to fruition.”

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