Seismic day for Welsh club as four deals announced and WRU issue statement

The Ospreys have seen their two biggest stars leave for the English PREM but have retained the services of two internationals

It’s been an eventful day at the Ospreys, with two players leaving and two players signing contract extensions.

• JAC MORGAN: The Ospreys have officially confirmed that Wales captain Jac Morgan will leave the club at the end of the season to join English Premiership side Gloucester. This departure is considered a significant blow to both the Ospreys and the professional game in Wales as a whole, as Morgan is regarded as one of Wales’ key players. Morgan expressed that it was an “extremely difficult decision” but he hopes supporters will understand his desire to pursue a new challenge. He emphasized that the Ospreys will always hold a special place in his heart, and he is committed to giving his all for the team until the end of the season before focusing on the new chapter ahead. Morgan’s exit comes amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the future structure of Welsh rugby, including the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) proposal to reduce the number of professional teams in Wales from four to three. This instability is cited as a factor driving players away from the Welsh game. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones stated that Morgan will be “sorely missed,” and while the club did its utmost to retain him, such matters are sometimes “taken out of your hands” due to the current circumstances in Welsh rugby. Gloucester successfully secured the highly sought-after player, who has significantly increased his profile following his performances, particularly in the British & Irish Lions’ series victory over Australia.
• DEWI LAKE: Wales hooker Dewi Lake has been confirmed as the second high-profile player to leave Welsh rugby on the same day as his Ospreys and Wales co-captain Jac Morgan, with both players signing for English Premiership club Gloucester. This simultaneous departure is being described as a significant setback for the game in Wales. Lake, a 26-year-old with 26 caps for Wales, has been a lifelong member of the Ospreys, coming up through their pathway. He acknowledged that making the decision to move was difficult due to his deep connection with the club, but he is looking forward to testing himself in a new environment, while remaining committed to achieving success with the Ospreys for the rest of the current season. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones expressed that Lake is an “incredible professional” and a key member of the leadership group whose contributions will be missed. He noted that, similar to the situation with Jac Morgan, the club worked hard to keep Lake, but it became increasingly difficult due to the “current landscape and uncertainty in Welsh rugby.” This exodus comes amidst plans by the Welsh Rugby Union to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three, a move that was intended to concentrate talent but now faces the reality of key Welsh players opting to play across the border in England. Lake’s move does not affect his eligibility to continue representing Wales.
• MORGAN MORSE: The Ospreys secured a much-needed boost by announcing that promising Wales backrower Morgan Morse has signed a new contract with the club. This positive news comes immediately after the devastating confirmation that two of the club’s star players, co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, would be leaving at the end of the season to join English side Gloucester, leaving the fanbase “despondent.” Morse, who is 20 years old and regarded as one of Welsh rugby’s finest prospects, recently made his senior Wales debut against the All Blacks. His commitment is a significant victory for the region amidst a period of major instability and player exodus. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones welcomed the signing, stating that Morse has a “bright career ahead of him” and is part of a strong core of young talent that the club is focused on developing from within the region. Morse, who became a household name after scoring an impressive individual try earlier in the year, expressed his pride in signing the new deal, emphasizing the club’s importance to him and his happiness to continue his professional career there. His decision to remain in Wales is a positive counterpoint to the recent departures, with the Welsh Rugby Union having committed to guaranteeing new contracts for Welsh-qualified players despite the broader uncertainty surrounding the proposed reduction of professional teams.
• HARRI DEAVES: The Ospreys have secured a new contract for Wales international flanker Harri Deaves, providing a timely positive update after the major loss of star players Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, who both confirmed their departures to Gloucester earlier in the day. Deaves, a 24-year-old abrasive openside, is a fan favourite renowned for his relentless work rate and physicality. His consistent regional form was recently rewarded with his first Wales cap against the All Blacks last month. By committing his future to the Ospreys, he follows Morgan Morse in choosing to remain at the club despite the recent high-profile player exodus. Deaves expressed his happiness to stay with the club he grew up supporting, calling it a “real privilege” to work there and look forward to continuing his development alongside close friends. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones highlighted Deaves’ consistent performance, effort, physicality, and desire for the shirt, stating that he “personifies what it is to be an Osprey” and is seen as an integral part of the squad for the coming seasons. This signing is a vote of confidence in the club amidst a period of significant uncertainty for Welsh rugby, where the Welsh Rugby Union’s plan to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three, possibly scrapping either the Ospreys or Scarlets, has created widespread instability, though the WRU has guaranteed that contracts for Welsh-qualified players will be honoured.
• WRU STATEMENT: The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) issued a statement expressing disappointment but realism over the decisions of players Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to leave the Ospreys at the end of the season and sign for Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership. The exits are considered a significant blow to both the Ospreys and Welsh rugby as a whole. The WRU emphasized its commitment to “build a world-class system in Wales” to maximize the success of professional clubs and national teams, with Welsh talent being central to this plan. These players will remain eligible to represent Wales internationally, and the WRU expressed hope that they and others will eventually return to Wales as the new system develops. The statement is released against the backdrop of the WRU’s ongoing restructuring of the professional game, which includes plans to reduce the number of professional Welsh teams from four to three. The WRU acknowledged that despite these efforts, there is a risk that the best Welsh players will continue to move to clubs in England. To support the domestic game, the WRU has guaranteed all existing player contracts, confirmed financial support for new signings to the regional clubs, and offered to centrally contract some priority players. Furthermore, the Union is planning to significantly invest in the pathway and reintroduce a national academy to boost the production of new talent. The controversial 25-cap law, which affects player eligibility for the national team, is also currently under review.

FULL STORY: Jac Morgan’s Ospreys exit confirmed in seismic blow to Welsh rugby

FULL STORY: Dewi Lake follows Jac Morgan out of Welsh rugby in second major exit

FULL STORY: New Wales international commits future to Ospreys in timely boost for club

FULL STORY: Second Wales star pens deal with Ospreys

FULL STORY: WRU issue statement over Morgan and Lake exits and vow to fix system