Star Metro - Lake wins Wales captaincy race ahead of Morgan

Wales head coach Steve Tandy selected Lake to lead Wales for Saturday's non-cap clash with the Barbarians, which is followed by three Nations Championship matches against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa.

British and Irish Lions flanker Morgan captained Wales in the first game of the Tandy era against Argentina in November 2025 but dislocated his left shoulder while scoring a try in that match, paving the way for Lake to take over as skipper.

Lake led the team during the rest of the 2025 November internationals and then this year's Six Nations tournament.

The Gloucester-bound former Ospreys team-mates previously co-captained Wales at the 2023 World Cup under former boss Warren Gatland.

"It is a massive honour, but you never expect anything," Lake said on Tuesday.

"Jac's an incredible leader, he's been unlucky with injury otherwise he'd still be in this role.

"Either way it went, the other one was always going to be full of support for the other. That's how we work. It's the two of us together.

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

Wales head towards the inaugural Nations Championship buoyed by ending a three-year wait for a Six Nations win.

Victory over Italy in March came on the back of resilient displays against Scotland and Ireland, offering evidence that Wales are heading in the right direction under Tandy.

"We've spoken a lot about picking up from where we've left off," Lake said.

"It's a new competition and we're expecting everyone to bring their best."

O.Poirier--SMC