WRU vows to fix system after Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake exits

Double blow sparks urgent response

The departures of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have been described as a hammer blow for both the Ospreys and Welsh rugby as a whole.

The WRU is already in the process of restructuring the professional game, with plans to cut the number of regional teams from four to three. But the exits raise fears that Wales’ best players could increasingly be based in England.

“We want Welsh talent at the heart of the system”

A WRU spokesperson said:

“We are striving to build a world‑class system in Wales to maximise the potential for the success of our professional clubs and national teams.

We want Welsh talent to be at the heart of the system. We are, of course, disappointed when players leave the system in Wales.

But we are also realistic that top‑class players will get opportunities to explore new experiences and to challenge themselves as they develop their careers.”

Contracts guaranteed, academy to return

The WRU says all existing player contracts have been guaranteed, with financial support pledged for new signings. Letters have been sent to regional clubs and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association confirming backing for priority deals.

Plans also include the return of a national academy to strengthen the pathway and produce more elite players.

Still eligible for Wales

Both Morgan and Lake will remain eligible to represent Wales despite signing for Gloucester. The controversial 25‑cap law is currently under review.

The WRU added:

“As we work to create a truly world‑class rugby environment in Wales in the next years, we hope that players like Jac and Dewi – and others – will come back to Wales. We wish them both the very best in the meantime – and we still have them at the heart of our national game from an international perspective.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Jac Morgan to leave Ospreys at end of season
Ospreys captain confirms Gloucester move after 51 appearances and Lions tour.

Dewi Lake to join Gloucester at end of season
Wales hooker and Ospreys stalwart announces departure after 71 appearances for the club.

#DewiLake #GloucesterRugby #JacMorgan #Ospreys #Rugby #WalesRugby #WelshRugby #WRU

WRU vows to fix system after Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake exits

Double blow sparks urgent response

The departures of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake have been described as a hammer blow for both the Ospreys and Welsh rugby as a whole.

The WRU is already in the process of restructuring the professional game, with plans to cut the number of regional teams from four to three. But the exits raise fears that Wales’ best players could increasingly be based in England.

“We want Welsh talent at the heart of the system”

A WRU spokesperson said:

“We are striving to build a world‑class system in Wales to maximise the potential for the success of our professional clubs and national teams.

We want Welsh talent to be at the heart of the system. We are, of course, disappointed when players leave the system in Wales.

But we are also realistic that top‑class players will get opportunities to explore new experiences and to challenge themselves as they develop their careers.”

Contracts guaranteed, academy to return

The WRU says all existing player contracts have been guaranteed, with financial support pledged for new signings. Letters have been sent to regional clubs and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association confirming backing for priority deals.

Plans also include the return of a national academy to strengthen the pathway and produce more elite players.

Still eligible for Wales

Both Morgan and Lake will remain eligible to represent Wales despite signing for Gloucester. The controversial 25‑cap law is currently under review.

The WRU added:

“As we work to create a truly world‑class rugby environment in Wales in the next years, we hope that players like Jac and Dewi – and others – will come back to Wales. We wish them both the very best in the meantime – and we still have them at the heart of our national game from an international perspective.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Jac Morgan to leave Ospreys at end of season
Ospreys captain confirms Gloucester move after 51 appearances and Lions tour.

Dewi Lake to join Gloucester at end of season
Wales hooker and Ospreys stalwart announces departure after 71 appearances for the club.

#DewiLake #GloucesterRugby #JacMorgan #Ospreys #Rugby #WalesRugby #WelshRugby #WRU

S4C secures new four‑year deal for Welsh‑language Six Nations coverage

The deal will see S4C broadcast all five of Wales’ games in both the Guinness Men’s Six Nations and the U20 Six Nations, alongside extended highlights of every Wales Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture.

The announcement comes as S4C prepares to show live coverage of the upcoming Quilter Nations Series.

‘Strengthening our commitment’

Sue Butler, S4C’s Head of Sport, said the agreement underlined the broadcaster’s role as the home of Welsh sport:

“We’re delighted to have agreed this new partnership with Six Nations Rugby, strengthening our commitment to Welsh‑language coverage of rugby at every level.

Alongside our live coverage of the Quilter Nations Series, this agreement ensures that Welsh audiences can continue to enjoy world‑class rugby, from the senior sides to the next generation of talent.”

Cultural significance

Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer at Six Nations Rugby, said the partnership recognised the importance of the tournament to Welsh fans:

“The Six Nations is one of the most loved annual occasions in the sporting calendar, and carries real cultural significance for fans in Wales, so we are proud to continue working with S4C to provide free‑to‑air Welsh‑language coverage of the Championship for the next four years.

We are committed to driving the growth of the Women’s Six Nations, as well as our successful international pathway competition, the U20 Six Nations, and the partnership with S4C is a key part of that strategy.”

‘Fantastic news for supporters’

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens welcomed the announcement:

“The Six Nations tournament is an annual highlight for so many people and is at the centre of Welsh sporting and cultural life.

It’s fantastic that supporters across the country will continue to be able to watch Wales in action live and free‑to‑air on S4C for years to come.”

More Rugby from Swansea Bay News

Catch up on the latest Rugby news here
All the latest match reports, features, and updates from across Welsh rugby.

#LiveCoverage #QuilterNationsSeries #Rugby #RugbyOnTV #S4C #SixNations #SixNationsRugby #WelshRugby

S4C secures new four‑year deal for Welsh‑language Six Nations coverage

The deal will see S4C broadcast all five of Wales’ games in both the Guinness Men’s Six Nations and the U20 Six Nations, alongside extended highlights of every Wales Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture.

The announcement comes as S4C prepares to show live coverage of the upcoming Quilter Nations Series.

‘Strengthening our commitment’

Sue Butler, S4C’s Head of Sport, said the agreement underlined the broadcaster’s role as the home of Welsh sport:

“We’re delighted to have agreed this new partnership with Six Nations Rugby, strengthening our commitment to Welsh‑language coverage of rugby at every level.

Alongside our live coverage of the Quilter Nations Series, this agreement ensures that Welsh audiences can continue to enjoy world‑class rugby, from the senior sides to the next generation of talent.”

Cultural significance

Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer at Six Nations Rugby, said the partnership recognised the importance of the tournament to Welsh fans:

“The Six Nations is one of the most loved annual occasions in the sporting calendar, and carries real cultural significance for fans in Wales, so we are proud to continue working with S4C to provide free‑to‑air Welsh‑language coverage of the Championship for the next four years.

We are committed to driving the growth of the Women’s Six Nations, as well as our successful international pathway competition, the U20 Six Nations, and the partnership with S4C is a key part of that strategy.”

‘Fantastic news for supporters’

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens welcomed the announcement:

“The Six Nations tournament is an annual highlight for so many people and is at the centre of Welsh sporting and cultural life.

It’s fantastic that supporters across the country will continue to be able to watch Wales in action live and free‑to‑air on S4C for years to come.”

More Rugby from Swansea Bay News

Catch up on the latest Rugby news here
All the latest match reports, features, and updates from across Welsh rugby.

#LiveCoverage #QuilterNationsSeries #Rugby #RugbyOnTV #S4C #SixNations #SixNationsRugby #WelshRugby