The Ospreys have suffered two seismic blows in one morning
Dewi Lake has become the second high-profile player to announce his departure from Welsh rugby today with the Wales hooker confirming he has signed for Gloucester.
The 26-year-old joins Jac Morgan in leaving the Ospreys for Kingsholm in what is a seismic blow for the game in Wales. WalesOnline revealed last week Lake was on the verge of signing for Gloucester and now the deal has been completed.
The Wales hooker is one of Welsh rugby’s only top-class international players but will be playing his rugby in England next season.
“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,” said Lake.
“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.
“There’s a still a lot of rugby to be played this season, and whilst I’m looking forward to testing myself in a new environment, myself and the rest of the squad are fully focused on achieving something special this season.”
The Welsh Rugby Union wants to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three over the next couple of years with one of the Ospreys or Scarlets expected to go.
Reducing to three teams was supposed to ensure the best players would remain in Wales but there is now the very real possibility the star names will be plying their trades across the Severn Bridge.
Lake has won 26 caps for Wales so will remain eligible to represent his country despite signing for Gloucester.
“Dewi is an incredible professional and has emerged as a key member of our leadership group in recent seasons,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.
“His contributions will be missed both on and off the field.
“Similarly to Jac, the club put in a lot of hard work to try and keep Dewi, but this became increasingly difficult with the current landscape and uncertainty in Welsh rugby.
“He has always represented both the Ospreys jersey and Welsh jersey with immense pride and is a fine example of the quality produced by our pathway.
“Looking forward, we still have some excellent strength in depth in the position, with an experienced international in Sam Parry, and two emerging hookers that we have high hopes for in Efan and Lewis.”
Lake will be joined by a strong Welsh contingent at Kingsholm with Morgan, Josh Hathaway, Freddie Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Deian Gwynne and Caio James at the club.
