Jonny Clayton out of World Championships after epic tussle with Ryan Searle
Rhodri Evans
Welsh number one and World Championship fifth seed Jonny Clayton was beaten 5-2 at the quarter-final stage by Ryan Searle.
Searle, the 20th seed in the prestigious competition, had won 14 consecutive sets without reply to reach his first World Championship quarter-final.
The 38-year-old extended that run to 17 with some clinical finishing in the first three sets against Jonny Clayton.
A 111 finish in the deciding leg of the fifth – one of his three ton-plus checkouts in the match – helped to secure a spot in the last four.
Clayton scored better for long spells of the quarter-final but too many missed attempts on the outer ring proved costly for the Welsh fifth seed, who landed only 10 of his 40 attempts at doubles.
Searle, in contrast, hit 17 of his 30 attempts.
“It’s a special feeling,” admitted Searle, who provisionally moves into the world’s top eight for the first time in his career.
“My scoring wasn’t great today, but I felt like in the high-pressure moments, I was finding some really good finishes.
“There’s a lot of pressure on you and it’s hard to perform under that, but I’m proud of myself to get over the line and we’ll see where we go tomorrow.”
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Swansea form continues as Wrexham also win: Welsh football round-up
Rhodri Evans
Swansea City continued their upturn in form under Vitor Matos, securing a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day thanks to a wonderful long range effort from Jay Fulton.
Wrexham made it a pair of victories for the two Welsh sides competing in the Championship, while Cardiff played out a 1-1 draw with Wycombe, and Newport lost 2-1 at Bromley.
With matches coming thick and fast over the New Year period, let’s get into the action.
Unlikely match winner Fulton earns Swansea all three points
Midfield Jay Fulton scored his first goal of the season – and only his 17th strike for Swansea in over 300 appearances – to help his side beat a tough West Brom outfit 1-0 on New Year’s Day.
Fulton found the top corner of Joe Wildsmith’s net from 25 yards – possibly with the aid of a slight deflection – to score his first goal in almost 13 months just a minute after coming off the bench.
The Scot’s effort snatched Swansea a fifth win in their past seven games and lifts Matos’ improving side to 15th in the Championship.
The only blot on the copybook was Adam Idah’s serious looking injury, which is set to keep him out of action for a significant period of time.
Matos said Idah “could be” facing months out of action, while Swansea – who are already without Liam Cullen – are waiting for news on Josh Key and Ronald after they were forced off during the New Year’s Day win over West Bromwich Albion.
Key was substituted at half-time after a collision with Callum Styles left him with a foot issue, while Ronald came off late on after his challenge on Ousmane Diakite led to Swansea’s winning goal.
Wrexham march on with rare clean sheet
Goals from Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith saw Wrexham secure a third straight victory in the Championship, with the festive period proving profitable for the North Walian side.
Striker Smith was handed just his second league start of the campaign while Rathbone was playing from the outset in the Championship for the first time in 2025-26 following a lengthy lay-off with an ankle injury.
And having made five changes from the side that started in the 2-1 victory over Preston North End three days earlier for the contest at Ewood Park, assistant boss Parkin stated that freshness was key to the Red Dragons’ triumph in Lancashire.
“We’re well aware that we’ve got a good squad and we’re well aware that we’re getting people back to full fitness,” Parkin told BBC Sport Wales.
“We’re also aware, we check the numbers, and we’ve seen how far they’ve run in the last two games. We thought that freshness would be key in this game.
“It just shows that the gaffer is not frightened to put players in the team who have been on the bench.
“I’m delighted for them because Ollie Rathbone, Smudger (Smith), they’ve been a big part of what we are this season without probably getting the game time that they would like or maybe deserve at times.
“But they’ve never put their heads down, they’re good citizens, they train properly, they’ve never been any trouble in the group and I’m delighted for both of them.”
Cardiff ‘frustrated’ by Wycombe draw
Cardiff were not left to rue their 1-1 draw with midtable Wycombe Wanderers, as the rest of the top eight in League One all failed to win on New Year’s Day.
Brian Barry-Murphy’s side had the better of the chances at Adams Park, but could not find a second goal after Chris Willock’s opener after six minutes.
“I can’t really ask any more from the players apart from obviously wanting to score the goals that we feel we deserve,” he said after the draw with 13th-placed Wanderers.
“We’ve been so dominant in the game and created so many good chances, chances we would normally take.
“[At Wycombe] we just couldn’t and I’m very pleased with large parts of the performance again.
“We went to Lincoln and Bolton, places like that, and produced what we thought were OK performances but didn’t create enough chances.
“We produced a lot of chances [against Wycombe] and some of our play was exhilarating at times. Overall very pleased with the performance while naturally wanting to have a bit more and score the goals.”
Newport’s revival hits a snag
After a draw and a victory saw Newport lift themselves off the bottom of the EFL and just two points from safety, their mini-revival hit a snag at Bromley, with the top side in League Two emerging the 2-1 winners.
Going into the encounter, the stark contrast between the teams’ fortunes was underlined by Bromley having lost only four games while Newport had won only four times.
Newport held out until just before the final whistle of the opening period beckoned.
Jude Arthurs hit the post and from the rebound Michael Cheek’s powerful drive was directed into the back of the net by Courtney Baker-Richardson, with an own goal credited to the Newport striker.
The Ravens doubled their lead in the 74th minute as Nicke Kabamba met Will Hondermarck’s cross to find the net from close range and Nathan Opoku’s late reply was not enough to affect the outcome.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
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Ospreys and Dragons enter the New Year on a high: Welsh rugby round-up
Rhodri Evans
Ospreys and Dragons, the two sides to have struggled the most so far this season, emerged from the New Year’s Day derbies with victories.
Welsh rugby fans were treated to some fantastic performances across the Christmas and New Year’s period, with the overall tally reading two wins for Ospreys, a win apiece for Dragons and Cardiff, with only Scarlets going winless.
Ospreys sparkle at Brewery Field
With cold and wet weather marking this same fixture out in 2023 as a bit of an old fashioned affair – pockmarked by moments of magic like Morgan Morse’s outstanding score – the Brewery Field pitch held up well to produce a match of pure entertainment for the Ospreys faithful.
After a gloomy week that culminated in being handily beaten by Munster, many an Ospreys fan was fairly pessimistic going into a pair of derbies with Scarlets and Cardiff.
They need not have worried.
While four of the five tries scored on the day were from backs – a sparkling brace from in-form man Kieran Hardy, plus a try each for wings Keelan Giles and Iestyn Hopkins – it was the Ospreys pack that dominated.
Cardiff were hampered by ill-discipline as they were overpowered by the Ospreys forwards and the visitors will be disappointed with a festive derby return of one win in three games.
Ospreys had started the Christmas period rock bottom in the league, but have risen eight places after successive derby wins.
“The Ospreys over many years have been lauded, and rightly so, for their power up front, their smarts, the character of the players as well as the physicality,” said head coach Mark Jones.
“We’ve hopefully still got a nice balance to our game and we’re showing that we can play the game a couple of different ways now.”
Benefitting from that forward platform was Wales scrum-half Hardy, who scored two tries having been the only specialist Ospreys’ number nine fit to face Cardiff.
“I think he’s done an exceptional job,” said Jones. “He showed good energy and control and his execution around all aspects of his game was excellent.”
With a maximum of 10 points picked up in the derbies, Ospreys have put themselves back into the play-off mix despite being bottom on Christmas Day. What a turnaround.
Dragons continue to rise
There has been a strange feeling at Rodney Parade in recent weeks as the Dragons fans watched their team enter the final ten or so minutes of matches: one of calm and comfort, knowing that the result is in tact.
The Dragons are now on a three-match winning run at home, beating Lyon in that comeback victory in the Challenge Cup, before two very comfortable victories over Connacht and Scarlets in recent weeks.
A bonus point victory over a sorry Scarlets side saw the Newport side climb to 10th in the United Rugby Championship (URC), with the club ruing a close defeat at the Cardiff Arms Park as the only blot on the winter copy book so far.
Scarlets’ Max Douglas was shown a red card just after a tight first half, and the 20 minutes of man-down rugby was costly for the West Walian side.
7-5 turned into 21-5, with Dragons clinching their bonus in the 75th minute through replacement hooker George Roberts.
“Our leaders are putting bits and pieces together and demanding things from each other,” said Tiatia, whose side temporarily went 10th in the URC with victory.
“It hasn’t happened by accident, they have been working hard around doing the basics well and our mantra is ‘how do we improve every day?’
“There are always areas to improve and I wouldn’t get too carried away. Travelling away is an area of growth for us and we need to have the same mentality as at home.”
It is also worth noting that Dragons were without a raft of players, including Wales internationals Rio Dyer, Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman and Dillon Lewis.
For Scarlets, their 23-0 victory over Glasgow looks now to have been a false dawn, as pressure piles on Dwayne Peel.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
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Cardiff City Foundation earns National Lottery investment for youth outreach work
Rhodri Evans
Thanks to National Lottery players, the Cardiff City Community Foundation is expanding their youth outreach work across Cardiff’s Southern Arc with a three-year programme that builds on their successful track record and extends into new communities.
This investment comes at a critical time. The Centre for Social Justice’s recent ‘Lost Boys’ report highlights how young men across the UK are falling behind in education, employment and wellbeing, with early intervention through sport-based programmes identified as one of the most effective ways to provide positive male role models and pathways away from crime and poverty.
Thanks to a £474,928 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, the League One club’s Foundation be reaching more young people across nine sites including Grangetown, Butetown, Ely, Llanrumney and Splott, delivering free football sessions, after-school youth clubs, mentoring and life skills workshops.
The programme includes weekly Premier League Kicks football sessions, after-school youth clubs, group mentoring, and Team Talk workshops on topics young people chose and are most affected by.
Cardiff also run termly community events, stadium tours and special experiences including match tickets for those who might not otherwise get the chance.
“The National Lottery Community Fund investment is transformational for what we can achieve across Cardiff’s Southern Arc and beyond,” Zac Lyndon Jones, Director of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said.
“It allows us to build on what already works, extend into new neighbourhoods and work alongside local partners to support young people at exactly the right moment.
“Early intervention works when it is consistent, trusted and rooted in communities. This funding enables us to be present in the right places, at the right times, working collaboratively to give more young people safe spaces, positive role models and opportunities shaped by what they tell us they need.”
“We are proud to fund the Cardiff City FC Foundation’s work supporting children and young people to thrive,” added Andrew Owen, Head of Funding for Wales at The National Lottery Community Fund.
“Their project will help communities across the city, encouraging young people to come together, and directly helping communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination, thanks to National Lottery players.”
In areas such as Caerau in Maesteg, where Premier League Kicks launched in March 2024, recorded crime has fallen by 18% and anti-social behaviour by 25%.
While these improvements reflect a wider collective effort across the community, the Cardiff Community Fund programmes play a meaningful role by engaging young people during peak risk hours and offering positive alternatives.
Across all Cardiff City FC Community Foundation services delivered last year, 88% of participants reported improved wellbeing and 98% felt a stronger sense of belonging.
These outcomes reflect the collective impact of our wider engagement across communities, demonstrating how structured sport, mentoring and trusted relationships contribute to safer, more connected places.
The CCFC Foundation working in partnership with South Wales Police, Cardiff Youth Services, Cardiff Council and local schools to make sure this expanded programme is embedded in communities and easy for young people to access through trusted relationships, structured activities and mentoring during the hours when young people need support most.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Swansea win chaotic derby as Cardiff falter and Newport slump again
Rhodri Evans
Swansea City came from behind to win a chaotic Welsh derby with Wrexham on Friday night, with Adam Idah capitalising on Arthur Okonkwo’s late error to score the winner.
After the drama of Friday night, Cardiff’s serene progress at the top of League One took a hit as they lost at second place Lincoln City.
Newport’s malaise continued into another week, this time well beaten by Colchester United.
Idah wins chaotic derby with bizarre goal
In a Welsh derby that had everything, Swansea City came from behind to beat Wrexham 2–1 at the Swansea.com Stadium thanks to a stoppage-time winner that sparked joyous scenes among the home fans.
Wrexham went ahead early through an unfortunate own goal from Cameron Burgess, but Zan Vipotnik levelled in the second half, setting up a tense finale.
Substitute Adam Idah seized on an error deep into added time to fire Swansea into the lead and seal all three points.
The victory marked Swansea’s first league win against their Welsh rivals in over three decades and keeps them competitive in the Championship mid-table fight.
“It was a derby and these games have these kinds of moments,” Swansea boss Vítor Matos said, reflecting on his side’s resilience.
“We started a little bit nervous, then there was the own goal. But more importantly was how we bounced back from that situation.
“Adam wanted to have an impact and I’m really happy for him.”
Cardiff stumble at Lincoln
Cardiff City’s fine League One form suffered a setback as they were edged out by Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium.
The Bluebirds struggled to turn their possession into clear chances in the first half and fell behind before the break.
Perry Ng pulled Cardiff level early in the second half, but Sonny Bradley restored Lincoln’s lead midway through the second period and the hosts held on for a narrow victory.
After the game, Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy admitted his disappointment but emphasised lessons learned: “It’s a very disappointing result for us.
“There were many parts of the game I was hugely pleased with but the most significant part we will improve on is how we chase the game. Credit to Lincoln for how little they restricted us.”
Newport remain winless under Fuchs
Newport County’s struggles continued at the JobServe Community Stadium as Colchester United ran out 4–1 winners.
The hosts dominated from the start, racing into a 2–0 half-time lead before adding further goals after the break. Newport’s Sammy Braybrooke scored a stunning long-range effort, but it was merely a consolation on a tough afternoon for the Exiles.
“There’ll be some very honest conversations,” Fuchs said.
“I didn’t recognise the team today, the way they started, not the team I want out there on the pitch.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Dragons thrash Connacht in cathartic victory as Scarlets win the derby
Rhodri Evans
Dragons RFC’s 48-24 victory over Connacht headlines our Welsh rugby weekend round-up, ending their losing streak in the United Rugby Championship.
Elsewhere, Scarlets stormed the capital, beating a wasteful Cardiff side at the Arms Park on Friday night, and Ospreys lost at home to Munster.
Let’s get into the action!
Cathartic evening for Dragons as they thrash Connacht
It was a rare joyous evening at Rodney Parade on Saturday night, as the Dragons stormed to their best victory in the URC for some time, putting six tries against a sorry Connacht side.
Dragons ended a 15-month winless streak in the URC, won successive games for the first time in more than three years – having also won in Europe the previous week – and climbed off the bottom of the table.
They scored six tries and only late Connacht scores – which earned an undeserved consolation try bonus – prevented the scoreboard revealing the true scale of the thrashing.
Dragons now head to Cardiff with Tiatia and his coaches having welcome selection headaches.
Rio Dyer was on electric form, scoring one and setting up Che Hope for another with a searing break. Harri Keddie, deputising for Thomas Young and Aaron Wainwright continued his renaissance, providing physicality and breakdown expertise.
“Harri was outstanding. He came off the bench in the last couple of outings and was asking when he was going to get a start,” said head coach Filo Tiatia.
“He took his opportunity and Waino [Wainwright] was outstanding against Lyon, so there is some good competition there.”
Scarlets storm the capital
Cardiff were left to rue their wasteful performance on Friday night, as Scarlet secured an away victory for the first time this season, winning 17-21 at the Arms Park.
The Blue and Blacks dominated territory and possession with their opponents given three yellow cards.
But the hosts could only manage two tries in more than 20 visits to the Scarlets’ 22, while the visitors scored three tries with limited attacking opportunities.
Veteran scrum-half Gareth Davies was brilliant for Scarlets, scoring two opportunistic tries, the first down the blindside and the second a classic intercept.
Another experienced head was on excellent form for the away side, with 34-year-old Jake Ball rolling back the years and potentially putting himself in the picture for a Wales recall.
The lock topped the tackle charts with 19 and has a physicality that Wales have lacked since Will Rowlands fell out of the picture.
For Cardiff, it is a first defeat since January at home and they remain third in the URC table.
Ospreys downed by Munster after difficult week
Ospreys capped off the week that they confirmed their captain and vice-captain would be leaving the club at the end of the season with a deflating 10-26 defeat to Munster at the Brewery Field.
Dragons’ and Scarlets’ victories mean that Mark Jones’ find themselves at the bottom the URC after seven games, and were overpowered by a full strength Munster side.
“It’s always a blow when you lose your household names,” said Jones.
“We have done our best to keep them financially and from an environmental point of view. There is so much uncertainty for everybody involved in Welsh rugby and people out of contract are considering this when making decisions.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Gwalia and Brython open Celtic Challenge season with pair of defeats
Rhodri Evans
Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder opened their Celtic Challenge seasons with a pair of defeats to Glasgow Warriors and Clovers.
Gwalia beaten in excellent contest
The Lightning opened the Celtic Challenge with a narrow 35-31 defeat to Clovers in a superb clash away at Energia Park in Dublin.
The Welsh side played their part in a 10-try Christmas cracker where both sides gave as good as they got and with the score switching constantly between the sides. Gwalia and Clovers both scored five tries each with the visitors underlining their credentials as one of the teams to watch in the Celtic Challenge.
The Welsh side finished third in the league last season and were the only side preventing Ireland’s dominance of the tournament. Prop Evie Hill, GB sevens flyer Courtney Greenway, prop Maisie Davies, who crossed for a brace, and Tilly Vucaj all crossed for tries.
Gwalia opened the scoring after only two minutes when prop Sadhbh McGrath broke free and crashed over after a ten metre burst for the line. Fly half Caitriona Finn added the conversion to make it 7-0 to the Clovers early on.
The Gwalia Lightning scrum proved a weapon for the visitors and a solid defence kept the home side at bay in the opening exchanges.
Wing Caitlin Lewis grabbed an interception to relieve the pressure but was brought down on the halfway line by a desperate Clovers defence.
Centre Niamh Murphy stretched the home side’s lead when she barged over from short range.
Finn added the extras to make it 14-0 midway through the first half. Gwalia Lightning replied straight from the kick off when prop Hill crashed over from a tap penalty to make it 14-5.
The visitors scored their second try after a rampaging run by skipper Bryonie King and some great feet by wing Greenway saw her score in the corner to make it 14-10. Gwalia then took the lead after a period of pressure when Wales prop Davies powered over for the Welsh side’s third try.
Fly half Carys Hughes added the conversion to make it 17-14 to Gwalia Lightning at half time after an entertaining first 40.
After the break, Number 8 Jemima Adams Verling crossed for the home side to give Clovers the lead. Gwalia hit back with a second try by prop Davies to reclaim the lead for the Welsh side with a 22-24 lead with Hughes adding the extras.
Clovers responded with McGrath powering over under the posts for her second of the day and a bonus point try.
Replacement Aoibheann McGrath did the same for her debut try until lock Tilly Vucaj drove over for a late converted try to claim a second bonus point for Gwalia. But it was Clovers who ground out the win a vital home win against the Welsh side.
Glasgow sweep aside Brython at Parc Y Scarlets
Glasgow Warriors opened their Celtic Challenge campaign with a six-try victory over Brython Thunder.
Thunder’s Ellie Tromans and Hanna Marshall scored either side of a Sky Phimister double in a closely contested first half.
The visitors pulled away after the break, with two tries for Hannah Smyth, while Jess Rogers’ close-range effort sparked hopes of a comeback.
But Glasgow sealed an impressive opening victory with late tries from Poppy Mellanby and Holland Bogan.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Gerwyn Price knocked out of World Darts Championship by Wesley Plaisier
Rhodri Evans
2021 World Champion Gerwyn Price suffered a shock defeat to Dutchman Wesley Plaisier in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship.
Plaisier stunned ninth seed and former World Champion Price with a whitewash win, romping home 3-0.
The Dutchman took the opening set before storming to the second, hitting six of his ten double attempts in the process to leave Price staring down the barrel of defeat.
Plaicier, who has never gone beyond round two at the World Championship, then survived two set darts from Price in the deciding leg of the third set, before pinning double ten to produce one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far.
“This is by far my biggest win ever,” said Plaisier, who will face Krzysztof Ratajski in round three.
“I couldn’t imagine beating him, especially not 3-0. I was hoping I could give him a good match and take one or two sets.
“I had a lot of nerves throwing for the match, I was shaking. In the end, he missed two darts and I was able to take it.
“The best wins are when you don’t expect them. I’m over the moon, that’s the only thing I can say.”
Littler breezes past Davies
Luke Littler ensured he did not suffer the same fate as Price, after delivering another whitewash triumph against Welshman David Davies to continue his title defence.
The world number one began in uncharacteristically slow fashion, averaging under 90 in the opening set and surviving five set darts from Davies before cleaning up a set-deciding leg.
However, Littler then returned to his trademark level, taking out a 145 checkout and eventually boosting his average to over 97 in taking the next two sets to complete the win.
“It’s always a good feeling to win and to win 3-0 is that much sweeter,” said Littler, who will face Mensur Suljovic in round three.
“I saw him walk off and thought he was out of his stride – I had to punish him and get that first set won.”
“I watched all of the Gezzy game, he didn’t play well and Wesley did. I could have met him in the quarter-finals, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.
“I’ve always watched darts and Mensur has been on tour for quite some years – he messaged me before the tournament and said see you in round three!”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
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Dewi Lake exclusive part two: Wales camp was ‘best campaign I’ve been involved in’
Rhodri Evans
Wales captain Dewi Lake has hailed Steve Tandy’s first camp as Wales head coach as the “best [he’s] been involved in” throughout his international career.
Lake was first capped for Wales under Wayne Pivac during the 2022 Six Nations, and established himself as a senior player under Warren Gatland, between 2023 and 2025.
He captained the squad on their tour of Japan this summer and stepped up in the absence of Jac Morgan this autumn.
The pair of Wales captains announced on Monday that they would be leaving their hometown club Ospreys for English side Gloucester, with Lake citing the uncertainty around the future of the region as a reason for his decision.
You can read his thoughts on the move here.
Speaking to Sportin Wales podcast co-hosts Alex Cuthbert and Dillon Lewis, Lake revealed that the recent campaign – the first under Tandy – was “class.”
“It was class,” Lake said on the podcast.
“Results didn’t go the way we wanted, but the actual campaign was probably the best I’ve been involved in from a learning perspective and a coaching perspective.
“You’re going in feeling like you are getting better every day. I think the enjoyment and how close we all got in that campaign, the environment allowed us to do that.”
Tandy brought in a number of changes to how the camp used to be run under Gatland for the best part of 17 years, with a change in training schedule and switch of changing rooms at the Principality Stadium.
“Changing room change was strange,” Lake added. “You used to come into the stadium and turn left.”
“Did anyone forget?” asked Cuthbert.
“Have a guess,” Lake replied. “Nicky [Smith] went straight to the left and into the away group! It was nice to have that change after so long.”
With regards to the training schedule, traditionally the Welsh players would train on Monday and Tuesday, have Wednesday off, and then train again Thursday, with a Captain’s Run at the stadium on the Friday.
Now, Wales train three days in a row, Monday to Wednesday, with Thursday off.
“Monday was a review day,” Lake explained. “We’d do walkthroughs, skills, and things like that.
“Tuesday was more of a load day. So, big running but not much bang. And then Wednesday would be your physical day where you’d go live mauls, scrums, and up the tackle stuff in 15 vs 15.
“We had a good balance throughout the week. I felt like we’d done enough running, felt like we’d done enough physical work, and still fresh going into the Captain’s Run.”
With a day off on Thursday and run through on Friday, the week is less strenuous towards match days.
“It was a nice change,” Lake said. “I think once we got used to the flow of weeks, the boys felt like they were full of energy rather than drained from training.
“It was alright as we were at home throughout the autumn, but for club when there’s a lot of travel. The Ospreys travelled to Montauban this weekend and then doing three days straight after that would be good.”
One of the coaches that Lake singled out for praise was Dan Lydiate.
Having played with Lake at Ospreys, the legendary flanker was brought into the coaching group to specialise on breakdown and contact areas.
“He was class,” Lake said. “I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot of work with Lyds, we were injured at the same time at Ospreys and had similar lower limb injuries.
“He coaches the breakdown and just loves doing that. Couldn’t wait to join in [with training]!
“All the coaches were a bit like that, Patch [kicking coach Rhys Patchell] was in boots, Dunc [scrum coach Duncan Jones] was doing scrums one day.
“Tandy couldn’t wait to get involved in the defence. That’s what I mean in terms of how close we were as a group of players and coaches.”
Despite the results not being positive, where a tight victory over Japan was overshadowed by heavy defeats to Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa, Lake asserted that the squad were honest with each other about their work-ons.
“I think that [being close] probably made us more able to question standards because you knew it was coming from a place of wanting everyone to be better,” Lake said.
“Whereas, sometimes if you’re not as close to people and you call out standards, some can think you’re just having a go or picking on individuals. But because we are a tight group, it was a lot easier to drive standards because you knew it was coming from a good place.”
After so long under a disciplinarian coach like Gatland, Tandy has made a clear effort to reduce the pressure on what is a young group of Welsh internationals.
“That’s what we spoke about a lot this campaign is playing with freedom and enjoying what we are doing,” Lake explained.
“But it’s obvious, if you play with freedom but do something daft, then you’re probably going to get pulled up on it. But if you go for something and it was a good decision, but the execution was off, you can accept that.
“Allowing the boys to play with freedom but within reason, where you understand the picture in front of you and can see if something is a wild option or if something is clear.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
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Dewi Lake exclusive part one: ‘You never want to leave the club you started at’
Rhodri Evans
Wales captain and departing Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake has described the decision to leave his hometown club as a “tough decision.”
Lake, who appeared alongside Alex Cuthbert and Dillon Lewis on the latest Sportin Wales podcast, spoke publicly for the first time after his move to English PREM side Gloucester was confirmed.
Lake, along with another Wales captain Jac Morgan, announced their double move to the West Country club, with the transfers sparking fears that more players would be leaving not only Ospreys, but Welsh rugby has a whole.
With budgets tighter than ever, and uncertainty around the future of each of the four regions, Lake explained that the “lack of clarity” around the situation in the game was a contributing factor.
“It obviously wasn’t an easy decision,” Lake explained.
“When you factor in the things that are going on off the field at the minute and the lack of clarity in whether we’re going to be a region next year, there’s not much stability there at the moment.
“It’s tough to leave but ultimately, you’ve got to secure a contract and your future.”
Lake has played 71 games for Ospreys to date, as well as appearing in the red of Wales 26 times, scoring six tries.
The hooker has been a key player for club and country for since the 2023 World Cup, where he captained the side alongside Morgan.
Lake skippered Wales in the absence of his Ospreys teammate in the final three matches of the Autumn Internationals, as well as the summer tour of Japan.
“[The move] was a tough decision because you never want to leave the club you started out at,” Lake said on the podcast.
“The staff and the boys are always the toughest things to leave. We’ve got a good group of boys that I’ve been with since I came through. The coaches as well, a lot of them were my coaches at U18 level.
“That’s the hard bit to leave isn’t it. The people that you form good bonds and friendships with. The fans as well have been class over the years, too.”
Lake spoked candidly about how his decision to leave Ospreys came about, saying that he first considered a move when the Union’s announcement to cut a region was published in late October.
“It was probably ongoing really from when that announcement first came from the Union about looking to cut team from four to three,” Lake revealed.
“Then the added news that we’re probably looking at one of Ospreys or Scarlets being the ones battling it out to stay.
“I think we probably haven’t had much news or development in terms of what’s happening since then. It’s a tough spot to be in.”
At that point in the conversation, Dragons prop and co-host Lewis commented that “no player” should be in the position that Lake and others find themselves in, with regards to the uncertainty around the game and contract expiring in a matter of months.
“No one can blame you as a player, though,” Lewis added.
“At no point should some of our best players be pushed into the position where you’ve coming through the Ospreys academy, you love playing for the Ospreys, that decision shouldn’t have made it to this point.
“I don’t think supporters and staff should point the finger and blame you at all.”
The news that Lake and Morgan were both leaving the Ospreys to join Gloucester was confirmed on Monday 15th, with the reaction from the vast majority of Welsh rugby negative, not towards the players, but the Union for, as Lewis said, “being pushed into the position [to leave].”
“If anything, it probably highlights more what is going on, doesn’t it,” Lake said.
“Jac maybe feels that way as well, but obviously I can only speak for myself with what’s going on. We’ve had little discussions and conversations around trying to stay, but again, the uncertainty of it all still hangs over you.”
Cuthbert also asked Lake whether the Union engaged in talks with the Wales international, as well as his club, to try and persuade him to stay.
“More Ospreys, really,” Lake added.
“But again, they’re not really sure about what kind of position they’re going to be in next year either. I know it was very tough for them to be able to put contracts on the table with everything that is going on.
“Like I said, it’s not an easy decision, but it’s one that I feel I’ve got to take.”
Lewis also confirmed that his current club – Dragons RFC – have also struggled to offer contracts to players due to the ongoing uncertainty.
“It’s hard for [Ospreys] to keep you, it just doesn’t seem fair,” Lewis said.
“We’ve had similar conversations at the Dragons. We’ve not had the extent of what you and Scarlets have had, but the club are still in a position where they can’t offer players contracts because of the uncertainty.
“It’s affecting all the regions, some more than others.
“In the last six or seven years of me being in regional rugby, there have always been issues with being able to offer boys contracts because regions didn’t know their budgets for the following years.”
“I’ve come as Jac’s assistant!” Dewi joked.
“Boys are calling us Mark Overmars and Emmanuel Petit now for coming as a package deal. We won’t go anywhere without each other!”
Lake added that he is looking forward to testing himself in a new league, highlighting the large Welsh contingent in the squad. Freddie Thomas, Tomos Williams, Max Llewellyn, and Josh Hathaway are all regulars for the Cherry and Whites and have been a part of recent Wales squads.
“Very excited, it’s an exciting league, a big league,” Lake said.
“New opportunity for me, leaving a place where I’m really comfortable and going out of my comfort zone a bit to test myself in a new league, new environment.
“I’m excited, but not ready to go just yet.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.