Domestic turmoil is a 'welcome distraction'

Wales skipper Lake says uncertain future can rally his squad

- By PHIL BLANCHE

Wales captain Dewi Lake with his Six Nations counterparts Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie George, Antoine Dupont, Caelan Doris and Michele Lamaro at the 2026 Guinness Six Nations launch event yesterday

WALES captain Dewi Lake has described the Six Nations as a “welcome distraction” for Steve Tandy’s embattled squad amid the current turmoil in Welsh rugby.

The buildup to the tournament for Wales has been overshadowed by Ospreys owners Y11 Sport and Media being named as the preferred bidder by the Welsh Rugby Union to take over domestic rivals Cardiff, who went into administration in April 2025.

Should the deal go through, Ospreys and Cardiff will continue as separate sides but be owned by one organisation.

The future, however, looks bleak for Ospreys, who have only been given playing guarantees until the end of the 2026-27 season, with the WRU keen to reduce the number of men’s professional regions from four to three.