Dewi Lake Leads Ospreys Against Munster in Bridgend
Wales hooker Dewi Lake captains the Ospreys at home to Munster in Bridgend, amid contract talks and a reshaped lineup as both sides chase URC success.
Dewi Lake returns to captain the Ospreys in a crucial URC clash with Munster at the Brewery Field in Bridgend. He leads a team navigating contract talks with himself and teammate Jac Morgan while preparing for life beyond this season.
Lake, 26, has not played since Wales were hammered by South Africa last month, but is back as captain as the Ospreys look to improve their league form.
Head coach Mark Jones praised Lake's attitude, noting the squad has stayed focused despite ongoing discussions about players’ futures. “His professionalism around the club has been outstanding,” Jones said. “There’s no hint of distraction within the group.”
Ospreys also welcome back Wales internationals Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Rhys Davies, James Ratti and Harri Deaves. Owen Watkin and Morgan Morris return after long-term injuries, giving Jones more options in selection.
“There are healthier bodies coming back and it makes selecting a bit easier,” the coach added. “We’ve got several players in form in their positions.”
Munster arrive with changes, naming a revised starting XV and two positional switches after a Heineken Cup victory against Gloucester. The visitors include prop Jeremy Loughman, lock Fineen Wycherley, and back Paddy Patterson among others.
United Rugby Championship: Ospreys vs Munster
Saturday, 17:30 GMT, Brewery Field, Bridgend
Watch live and follow updates on the INLIBER Sport site and app.
Ospreys eye consistency amid uncertainty
With a near-certain place in the European Challenge Cup knockout stages thanks to wins over Connacht and Montauban, the Ospreys’ URC form has been uneven. They sit 13th in the URC standings after six rounds, with one win.
Jones said recent performances show the team’s potential, even if results haven’t always matched it. “We’re building and getting closer to performing consistently for 80 minutes,” he said.
The Welsh game faces broader uncertainty, with the WRU proposing to cut the number of professional men’s sides to three. The plan could redefine the landscape for Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff amid wider questions about Welsh rugby.
Jones urged players to focus on their jobs and the team badge, regardless of off-field shifts. “Control what you can control and give your best in every game,” he said.
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Starting lineups
Ospreys: Nagy; Kasende, Boshoff, Watkin, Giles; Edwards, Morgan-Williams; S Thomas, Lake (captain), Henry, R Davies, Smith, Ratti, Deaves, M Morris. Replacements: Parry, C Jones, Botha, Sutton, Morse, Hardy, K Williams, Walsh.
Munster: Haley; Nash, T Farrell, Nankivell, Daly; Crowley, Patterson; Loughman, Scannell, Ala'alatoa, Kleyn, Wycherley, O'Donoghue (capt), Kendellen, Coombes. Replacements: Barron, Milne, Bartley, Edogbo, Ahern, Coughlan, Hanrahan, Hodnett.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU). Assistants: Craig Evans & Andrew Moule (WRU). TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU).
In short, the Ospreys rely on Lake's leadership to steady the side amid contract distractions while chasing URC points and a strong European campaign.
In summary, the Ospreys will lean on Lake’s leadership to navigate contract issues and rebuild form, while Munster look to consolidate URC momentum. The match adds pressure as Welsh rugby debates structural changes. Lake’s captaincy and the returning internationals could be decisive in Bridgend.
Key insight: Lake’s leadership steadies a squad navigating contract distractions while keeping focus on performance in a tough URC schedule. Source: BBC Sport
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