The Welsh Rugby Union has vowed to keep top Welsh players within the domestic game after the confirmed moves of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake from the Ospreys to English Premiership side Gloucester at the end of the season. The departures come as Welsh rugby undergoes a major restructuring, with plans to reduce regional teams from four to three by 2027 — a change that could see the Ospreys and Scarlets competing for a single regional slot.
In a formal statement the WRU said it is focused on creating a world-class system that will support both professional clubs and the national side, with home-grown players central to that vision. The union acknowledged the disappointment when leading players leave Wales, while also recognising that elite players may pursue new challenges as their careers progress.
To smooth the transition to the new regional model, the WRU said it is working closely with the professional clubs to implement changes quickly and is starting to build the environment it believes will keep Welsh talent at the heart of the game. The union confirmed it has guaranteed all existing player contracts and has written to regional clubs and the Welsh Rugby Players Association to outline the financial support that will be available for new signings under the restructured system.
Despite their moves to the English Premiership, both Morgan and Lake remain eligible for Wales selection. Wales’ policy normally makes players based outside the country ineligible unless they have reached a 25-cap threshold; the WRU pointed out that both players have already exceeded that mark, meaning their international availability should not be affected. Morgan’s cap total includes appearances on two British & Irish Lions tours. Morgan is currently sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Reflecting on his departure from the Ospreys, Morgan spoke warmly about his long association with the club. He described the decision to move as carefully considered and said his journey — from coming through the pathway and making his debut to captaining the side — and the friendships he formed there will remain treasured memories.
The WRU has framed these signings as part of a broader challenge: building a competitive, sustainable domestic structure that keeps Wales’ best players engaged at home while recognising the individual ambitions that sometimes lead players to test themselves abroad. The union’s immediate steps — contract guarantees and financial assurances for clubs — are intended to provide stability as the sport moves through the planned changes.