Ospreys Captain Dewi Lake Returns for Munster Clash

The Ospreys will name Dewi Lake as captain for their United Rugby Championship clash with Munster in Bridgend on Saturday. The Wales hooker has revealed he will join Gloucester at the end of the 2025-26 season, alongside flanker Jac Morgan, but remains focused on delivering for his club in the short term. Lake has not played since Wales were beaten 73-0 by South Africa last month.

Head coach Mark Jones lauded Lake's professionalism despite the public transfer news, saying there has been no sign of distraction within the squad. The same message was echoed across the group as they prepare for a tough home assignment.

In more good news for the Ospreys, several Wales internationals return to the matchday squad, including Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Rhys Davies, James Ratti and Harri Deaves. Wales winger Owen Watkin and back-rower Morgan Morris also earn starts after lengthy injury lay-offs. Jones added that a healthy squad gives him more selection options and confidence ahead of the clash.

Munster, sitting third in the table, reshuffle their pack with six changes and two positional shifts from their previous win over Gloucester that earned a Champions Cup bonus point. The starting lineup includes Jeremy Loughman, Fineen Wycherley, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Tom Farrell and Calvin Nash.

United Rugby Championship: Ospreys v Munster

Saturday, 20 December at 17:30 GMT

Brewery Field, Bridgend

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Ospreys facing uncertainty but focused on improvement

The Ospreys look well-placed to advance to the knockout stage of the Challenge Cup after victories over Connacht and Montauban. In the URC, however, they sit 13th after six rounds, with just one win to date this campaign.

Jones said the team has shown quality and belief, even if results have not always matched performances. He stressed that the squad has been able to compartmentalise the contract talk and stay focused on preparation and performance.

The broader context in Welsh rugby remains unsettled, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) proposing to reduce the number of professional men’s teams to three licences. Cardiff, the east, and the west would each hold a licence, potentially reshaping the domestic landscape and intensifying a survival battle for clubs like the Ospreys and Scarlets. Jones urged everyone to concentrate on their roles and deliver for the club’s badge, regardless of external changes.

• Ospreys boss Jones hopes Morgan and Lake return

• Why are Wales' captains leaving for England?

• Welsh pair Morse and Deaves sign new Ospreys deals

How they line up

Ospreys: Nagy; Kasende, Boshoff, Watkin, Giles; Edwards, Morgan-Williams; S Thomas, Lake (capt), 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)

Expert comment

Rugby analyst: Lake's leadership is a stabilising factor as the Ospreys navigate contract talks and form. The return of several Wales players should help lift performances in this URC clash.

Summary

Dewi Lake leads the Ospreys in a crucial URC fixture with Munster, amid ongoing contract discussions and a broader restructuring in Welsh rugby. The squad welcomes back key internationals, boosting hopes of improved results. Saturday's game is a test of the team’s resilience and readiness to translate potential into wins.

Key insight: Dewi Lake's return as captain underscores stable leadership for the Ospreys during a period of change, as they pursue URC success amid transfer talks. Source

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