Jac Morgan And Dewi Lake Leave Ospreys For Gloucester Move

Wales captain Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake will leave Ospreys for Gloucester, highlighting growing uncertainty in Welsh rugby player retention

Dec 15, 2025 by Philip Bendon

Jac Morgan And Dewi Lake Leave Ospreys For Gloucester Move

Wales captain Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake will leave Ospreys at the end of the season to join Gloucester, dealing a significant blow to both the Swansea based club and the wider Welsh rugby landscape.

The pair will move to Kingsholm ahead of the 2026 and 2027 campaign to play in the Gallagher Premiership, with Ospreys head coach Mark Jones citing ongoing uncertainty in Welsh rugby as a decisive factor in their departures.

Morgan has been one of the defining figures of Ospreys’ recent era since joining from Scarlets in 2021. The 24 year old flanker has made 51 appearances for the club and quickly established himself as a leader, both domestically and on the international stage. His rise culminated earlier this year with selection for his first British and Irish Lions tour, where he scored a try in the second Test against Australia.

“This was an extremely difficult decision for me to make, but I hope our supporters can understand the reasoning behind me wanting to pursue a new challenge,” Morgan said.

“The Ospreys is a club that will always hold a special place in my heart, there are some incredible people here that have played an important part in getting me to where I am now, and I will never forget that.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge ahead, but until then I will be working hard to get back to full fitness and giving 100% for the team until the end of the season.”

Morgan will join a Gloucester side that has endured a difficult campaign in both the Premiership and the Investec Champions Cup. Despite the club’s struggles, the Wales skipper believes the move offers an opportunity to help drive improvement.

“I’m delighted to sign for Gloucester Rugby ahead of the 2026 and 2027 season. It’s a great club with brilliant supporters,” Morgan said.

“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.”

Lake’s departure is equally significant for Ospreys. The hooker came through the club’s development pathway and has made 71 senior appearances, earning a reputation as one of Wales’ most dynamic front row forwards.

“I had a really good chat with the club about their ambitions and how I could play a part in that, and it got me really excited for the challenge ahead,” Lake said.

“I’ve always admired Gloucester for the way they play. I feel like it’s suited to my strengths and the way I like to play the game.

“The Gallagher Premiership is probably the most competitive league in the world, and I feel like I’m at a good stage in my career to take the opportunity with both hands.”

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington said the signings represented a major statement of intent for the club.

“We’re really pleased to get a deal for Jac over the line,” Skivington said.

“He’s a genuinely world class rugby player and has a big impact in every team he’s been a part of, and that’s a really exciting prospect.

“Jac no doubt had lots of offers on the table, so for him to commit to the project here at Kingsholm is a great nod to the programme we have in place, and the ambition we have for next season and beyond.”

Skivington added that Lake’s arrival would further strengthen Gloucester’s forward pack.

“Dewi is the epitome of a modern day hooker, dominant at set piece and industrious around the park,” he said.

“He’s a gritty and abrasive player, and I know that’s what fans like to see in a Gloucester player. I think they’ll take to Dewi really quickly.

“With Dewi and Jac coming in, we’ve significantly bolstered our pack, adding to the talent that’s already here, and we’re shaping up nicely for the start of the 2026 and 2027 season.”

For Ospreys, the double exit underlines the challenges facing Welsh regions as they attempt to retain leading talent amid financial and structural uncertainty.

“I think I speak for everyone at the club when I say Jac will be sorely missed,” Jones said.

“He is a tremendous player and leader that always gives his all when he is on the pitch.

“As a club, we have always done our utmost to keep our most talented players, and that certainly was the case with Jac. Unfortunately, these matters are sometimes taken out of your hands, especially under the current circumstances in Welsh rugby.

“We respect his decision and wish him nothing but the best for the future. He will always be welcome back at the Ospreys.”

Jones said similar efforts had been made to retain Lake.

“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 said.

“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.”

As Gloucester prepare to integrate two established internationals, Ospreys and Welsh rugby are left grappling with the broader implications of losing key figures to England’s top flight.

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